Honours shared after Gambhir’s innings

India, South Africa share series after drawn third Test.

CAPE TOWN: India validated their ranking as the number one team in Test cricket when they drew the third and final Test and earned a share of the series against second-ranked South Africa.

Gautam Gambhir guided India to safety with a cautious innings of 64. Set to make an improbable 340 to win, India were 166 for three when play was called off with eight overs remaining.

A draw was a fair result after a match of fluctuating fortunes and high-quality performances by players of both teams.

Man of the series Jacques Kallis took his career total of Test centuries to 40 with innings, while Sachin Tendulkar made a battling 146.

Dale Steyn took five for 75 in the first-innings but had to wait until an hour and a half to add to his tally, having Gambhir caught down the leg side by Mark Boucher.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2011.