India 280 and 421 (Cheteshwar Pujara 153, Virat Kohli 96, Jacques Kallis 3-68) drew with South Africa 244 and 7-450 (Faf du Plessis 134, AB de Villiers 103, Alviro Petersen 76, Mohammed Shami 3-107)
The historic centuries from AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis provided a strong fifth wicket partnership of 205 runs that resulted the game in a draw vs. India.
The visitors scored 280 runs in their first innings followed by a massive 421 in the second. The hosts were bowled out for 244 in the first one and they amassed 450 for the loss of seven wickets in the second innings.
Virat Kohli (India) was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his excellent innings of 119 and 96 in the encounter.
The first Test of the two match series concluded on Sunday, December 22, at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
Earlier, the Proteas started the day at 2-138 in 45 overs and Alviro Petersen along with Faf du Plessis were in the center for 76 and 10 runs. The first was clean bowled by Mohammed Shami without adding any run and was replaced by Jacques Kallis. The latter opted to attack but was declared leg before wicket off Zaheer Khan for 34 as the score touched 197.
The home side required another 261 runs to win the game when AB de Villiers joined in with Faf du Plessis. They started their courageous journey in a positive manner and du Plessis reached his fifty with a four. AB de Villiers was the most aggressive of the two and went past his 34th Test half century with a couple of fours. The duo kept on cruising nicely with regular boundaries and Faf du Plessis punched his third Test hundred in the 113th over. His partner was solid as a rock at his end and blasted his 18th Test century seven eight overs later. The association was finally broken at 402 when de Villiers was gone for 103 and Jean-Paul Duminy followed him for just five runs.
Vernon Philander joined in next with du Plessis as the Proteas needed another 51 runs to win the match. They took their team to a possible victory when the latter was unluckily run out at 442 at his personal feat of 134. Dale Steyn walked in next and played off the day with Philander who remained unbeaten for 25. The first secured his end for 6 as the hosts hammered 7-450 in 136 overs.
Mohammed Shami was the most successful bowler with three wickets whereas Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma shared one each.
The South African batsmen provided a splendid show on the final day against the Indian bowling and the match finished as a thrilling draw.
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