Du Plessis and de Villiers' Near Miss Against India Highlights South Africa's Resilience
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A look back at Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers' incredible partnership against India in 2013, showcasing South Africa's fighting spirit and India's emerging talent.
In a memorable Test match 12 years ago at the Wanderers, South Africa showcased their renowned fighting spirit, almost achieving what would have been a historic run chase against India. Set a target of 458 on a challenging pitch, the South African team, led by Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, came within eight runs of victory, ultimately securing a draw.
The match situation began with South Africa needing 320 runs on the final day with eight wickets in hand. Early wickets fell, shifting momentum towards India, but the partnership between du Plessis and de Villiers proved pivotal. Their 205-run stand, built over nearly four hours, demonstrated patience and control, taking South Africa from 197 for 4 to the brink of an improbable win. Du Plessis and de Villiers faced 375 deliveries together, navigating variable bounce and movement off the pitch.
That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the dismissal of de Villiers, followed by JP Duminy and then du Plessis, swung the momentum back. Despite Dale Steyn's late six, South Africa fell just short, finishing on 450 for 7.
While the draw was a testament to South Africa's resilience, the Test also marked a significant moment for India's emerging batting lineup. Virat Kohli's impressive scores of 119 and 96 earned him the Player of the Match award, while Cheteshwar Pujara's commanding 153 in the second innings highlighted his potential. The series served as an important overseas assignment for Kohli, Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane, who would become key players for India in the following decade. Kohli, Pujara, and Rahane finished as the top three run-scorers in the series, underscoring the beginning of their lasting impact on Indian cricket.
Despite losing the series 1-0, with a 10-wicket defeat in the second Test, India discovered the core of their future batting order. Pujara amassed 280 runs at an average of 70, Kohli followed with 272 at 68, and Rahane added 209 at an average of 69.66. This Test match, though ending in a draw, underscored the competitive spirit between South Africa and India and the emergence of India's next generation of batting stars.
Editor’s note: This article was independently written by the Scoopliner Editorial Team using publicly available information.
