New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI): Indian bowlers led by Ravichandran Ashwin showed outstanding perseverance to end South Africa's dogged resistance and register a comprehensive 337 run victory in the final cricket Test, winning the four-match series by a historic 3-0 margin.

Needing a mammoth 481 to win, South Africa depended on their ultra-defensive strategy before being bowled out for 143 in 143.1 overs, the last five wickets falling for a mere seven runs in a dramatic collapse.

The 3-0 series win also enabled India to climb upto No 2 in the ICC Test rankings.
Fittingly Ashwin (5/61 in 49.1 overs) got the final wicket with an angular delivery that Morne Morkel left and was bowled, triggering scenes of celebration in the Indian dressing room and among the players on the ground.

Skipper Virat Kohli and Man of the Match Ajinkya Rahane picked the souvenir stumps as players engaged in hearty celebrations and also thanked the spectators who gave them a standing ovation.

The Proteas, courtesy AB de Villiers' 43 off 297 balls, looked like pulling off an improbable draw from the jaws of defeat before the Indian bowling came to life in the final session courtesy pacer Umesh Yadav's fiery spell and Ravichandran Ashwin ending the stodgy De Villiers' near six- hour battle.

Ashwin produced a magical delivery – a sharp bouncing off-break that de Villiers played awkwardly and the resultant catch was taken by Jadeja at leg-slip.

The emphatic Test series victory more than made up for the losses in the ODIs and Twenty20s played earlier.

Credit should also be given to Umesh Yadav (3/9 in 21 overs) for starting the slide in the final session by rattling Dane Vilas and Kyle Abbott's stumps. Dane Piedt was gone when Wriddhiman Saha took a stunner.

The visions of victory were raised in the post-lunch session, Faf Du Plessis' (10, 97 balls) resistance ended when Ravindra Jadeja bowled an armer which the right-hander intended to play for the turn. It hit plumb in-front much to the delight of Jadeja.