Defiant Gambhir earns India a draw

Gautam Gambhir was the mainstay for India on the final day of the decisive third Test in Cape Town with his determined half-century earning his country a fighting draw and first-ever shared series in South Africa.

The injured opener hit 64 from 184 balls, while Rahul Dravid (31 from 112) and the unbeaten Sachin Tendulkar (14 from 91) also played their part as the tourists battled to end on 166 for 3. By then, the world No 1 side had batted 82 overs after being set a 340 victory target set on a fast-deteriorating Newlands track.

Even deliveries that did something unexpected were dealt with admirably. It meant that India had salvaged a series draw in a country where they had lost all four previous tours.