India hold on to share series

Cricket: Gautam Gambhir was the mainstay for India on the final day of the decisive third Test in Cape Town with his determined…

Cricket: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 well to end on 166 for three when Graeme Smith decided to give in.

By then, the world number one side had batted 82 overs in pursuit of the 340 victory target which was set on a fast deteriorating Newlands track. The wicket had been expected to pose much more of a test for the India batsmen, but even deliveries which did something uncharacteristic were dealt with admirably.