India draw Test series for the first time in South Africa

For the first time India levelled a Test series in South Africa after the third and the final match at the Newlands Stadium ended in a draw here on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 340, India were 166 for three in the second innings and both the captains decided to call it a day 30 minutes before the scheduled close of play. South Africa made 362 in the first innings and 341 in the second. India made 364 in the first innings.

The humiliating innings defeat in Centurion in the first Test, inspired India to beat South Africa by 87 runs in the second Test in Durban.

India were chasing history in the third Test as they were looking for their maiden series win in South Africa and the match was well poised till the fourth day before Man of the Match and Series Jacques Kallis struck an unbeaten 109, his second century of the match, to set India a 340 run target for India.

It was a mountain to climb for India and they did well to draw the Test and level the series for the first time on South African soil.

Even the aggressive Virender Sehwag (11) concentrated on defence against South African fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel while his partnerGautam Gambhir guided India towards safety with a gutsy 64.

Sehwag completed a disappointing series when he was caught at first slip by South African captain Graeme Smith off Morkel for 11 after batting for three minutes short of an hour. Sehwag scored 144 runs in the series at an average of 24.

Gambhir and Rahul Dravid defied the South African bowlers until after the afternoon drinks break in a second wicket stand of 79 before Dravid was caught at third slip for 31 when he got a ball from Lonwabo Tsotsobe which kicked from just short of a length.

Gambhir, who made 93 in the first innings, batted despite a left elbow injury which will keep him out of a forthcoming one-day series against South Africa. He looked in distress when he was struck by Morkel just below the injured elbow in the second over of the second innings. He received treatment on the field before carrying on batting with no further obvious signs of discomfort.

Sachin Tendulkar (14) and V.V.S.Laxman (32) were at the crease when the stumps were drawn.