Skipper Dean Elgar's decision did not go as planned, resulting in South Africa being dismissed for 55 runs, their lowest total against India. Although India initially seemed on track for a substantial lead, they encountered a collapse, losing their last six wickets for no runs and getting all out for 153, thereby limiting their first-innings advantage to 98 runs. Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar's surprise likely stems from the unexpected turn of events in the match.
