'A lot of people had written us off' - Coach Mark Boucher lauds South Africa for turnaround against India

The South African team did the unthinkable. With hardly a couple of big names in their squad, they managed to prevent the current top-ranked Indian team from registering a maiden Test series win in the 'Rainbow Nation'.  A young and determined Proteas outfit shocked the cricketing world by turning the tables on Kohli & Co. after a humiliating defeat in the series-opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

While South Africa staged a comeback that will be remembered for ages, the team's head coach Mark Boucher said that the hosts were not given a chance by anyone after the Centurion debacle.

Coach Mark Boucher explains how South Africa proved the naysayers wrong

"A lot of people, including the media, had written us off after day one of the first Test. It's been great. It doesn't surprise me, because you've got Dean as well who is that sort of character and he led from the front," said Mark Boucher during the post-match press conference.

"You've got Temba as the vice-captain who is the same fighter with that spirit in him. So you've got two leaders like that who the guys are going to follow. The guys stood up with regards to their own games as well. To come back after losing the first day badly to then compete in the first Test, and then to win the second and third Tests. This Indian team is probably the best team in world cricket Test-wise at the moment. This is something that our boys certainly won't take for granted", the ex-stumper added.

After their demoralising 113-run defeat in the first Test, South Africa got another setback when star wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock announced a shocking retirement from the longest format with immediate effect. The keeping gloves were donned by Kyle Verreynne for the remainder of the series.