Amla rues missed chances after losing Test series against India

South Africa Test skipper Hashim Amla rued a number of missed opportunities and admitted that his side failed to perform to their full potential during his side's 124-run defeat in the third Test against India in Nagpur on Friday.

South Africa struggled to counter Indian spinners as they were bundled out for 185 in their second innings while chasing a daunting target of 310 on a dusty and dry pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. The defeat also brought an end to South Africa's nine-year winning streak in away Test series.

"There were so many places we miss. We scored really slowly. So I don't think we were as positive (as India). But it was just disappointing in the first innings, not to get score closer to them. I think chasing 200 would have been more apt. If I look at their first innings they were about 30 runs too much from our bowling perspective. Even in the second innings. I think we could have got India out on at least 140 and it would probably have change the complex of the game," Amla said in a post-match media conference.

The 32-year-old, however, lavished praise on Indian bowlers for their relentless performance.

"In my Test career, without a doubt it was the toughest surface I had I ever played. Credit to India, they bowled well. Yes, unfortunately we come out on a wrong side in this game," the captain said.

"The condition we have played in was never like I had played travelling away from home. It's a type of challenge we have never experienced before. It's a good reminder to us. When I first started, the South African team looked very similar to what it is at the moment. It's a very disappointing to lose the series away from home after nine years. I hope it doesn't happen again," he added.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was adjudged as the Man of the Match, grabbed 12 wickets overall to help his side take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

Although captain Amla (39) and Faf du Plessis (39) displayed some resistance by putting their side's longest partnership of the series, Ashwin wiped out the tail-enders with ease.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra broke the 72-run stubborn partnership between Amla and Du Plessis by removing the duo in quick succession.

Both the sides will next play the inconsequential final Test at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla from December 3.