Rohit Sharma: 'We can take a lot of pride from this performance,' says India skipper after win over South Africa

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma said that the visitors’ seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town was about “keeping things simple” and was pleased with how his team managed to do that. The Cape Town Test ended in less than two full days , with India needing to chase down just 79 after seeing off the Proteas for 176 in their second innings. This was after Mohammed Siraj’s six-wicket haul bundled out the Proteas for 55 in their first innings. India, however, failed to capitalise on that after they were dismissed for just 153 in their first-innings reply, having a 98-run lead. “Obviously a great feat, but having said that we have to learn from whatever mistakes we made. The bowlers still have to put the ball in the right areas and the boys got rewarded for it. We applied ourselves well and batted to get the 100-run lead, but not pleasing to see the last six wickets,” Rohit said after the match, referring to the way India were dismissed for 153 after being 153/4 at one stage. “We spoke about keeping things simple and that’s what happened. The pitch did the rest. Lot of credit to Siraj, Bumrah, Mukesh and Prasidh. Whenever you come here, it’s challenging. We have played a lot of good cricket outside India, we take a lot of pride. We would have loved to win the series,” added Rohit. Rohit said that the manner in which India levelled the series 1-1, it was important for the team to take pride in their performance, especially in a series outside India. “South Africa is a great team, they always challenges us, they are such a good team. We can take a lot of pride from this performance,” continued the 36-year-old. Rohit Sharma was all praise for outgoing South Africa cricketer Dean Elgar. Playing his last international match, Elgar received a guard of honour from his teammates ahead of India’s chase. “Such an important player for SA, very gritty, we appreciate that. I’d like to wish him the best. Brilliant career, best wishes ahead,” said Rohit.