5 heartbreaking Test losses for India where they failed to build on crucial moments

#3 South Africa vs India, Cape Town 2018

It was billed as a fight between the World's No. 1 and No. 2 ranked sides of Test cricket. It was a contest that had its subplots dating back to South Africa's infamous tour of India in 2015. South Africa had redemption on their mind, and a victory would go a long way in healing the scars India had inflicted on them.

They made their intentions pretty clear by dishing out a lively track at Newlands and selecting a fearsome four-man pace attack.

India had their chances, especially when they reduced South Africa to 3/12 after the hosts had decided to bat first. But the genius of AB de Villiers (65) aided by moody line-lengths by the fast bowlers coupled with dropped catches helped South Africa post a respectable 286 in the first innings.

India at 7/92 hampered by bizarre team selections and reckless shots against the face-quartet didn't even look to avoid the follow-on. However, Hardik Pandya (95) albeit a bit of luck counterattacked the Proteas and kept India in the game as the tourists were finally bowled out for 209, trailing South Africa by 77 runs.

Pandya then plucked away with the bowl as he prized out both Proteas Openers in the closing moments of day 2. Persistent rain meant the third day was washed out, Indian bowlers bought India roaring back into the game on the 4th morning as they bundled out South Africa for a mere 130, setting up a 208 run-chase, India's best chance to get a series lead overseas.

But the great Indian collapse happened for the second time in the match, and with Pandya not being able to replicate his first innings heroics, the visitors capitulated to a 135 all out, thus blowing their best chance away to win in South Africa.

South Africa 286 (AB de Villiers 65, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/87) & 130 (AB de Villiers 35, M.Shami 3/28) beat India 209 (Hardik Pandya 95, Kagiso Rabada 3/34) & 135 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 37, Vernon Philander 6/42) by 72 runs.