Hashim Amla Admits Nagpur Pitch 'Probably Toughest' he Has Played on

South Africa captain Hashim Amla called the Nagpur pitch "probably the toughest" he has played on after the visitors lost the third Test and the series to India on Friday. (No Excuses Please, Say India After Ending South Africa's Winning Streak Overseas)

India bowled out South Africa for 79 and 185 to win by 124 runs on Day 3 of the third Test. India won the series 2-0 with a match to spare.

"These were probably the toughest three days of my Test career," Amla said. (Ashwin is World's Best, Says Kohli)

"The surface was probably the toughest I have had as well, and the cricket itself was really difficult. So credit to India, they kind of bowled well, and unfortunately we ended up on the wrong side of this game."

South Africa's 79 in the first innings was their lowest ever score against India.

"It was disappointing in the first innings, not to get a score closer to them," Amla said. (Ashwin is Becoming World's Envy, India's Pride)

"I would think chasing 200 would have been more apt. The quality of the Indian spinners was certainly exceptional in these conditions, and you've got to give it to them."

It was the first away series loss in nine years for South Africa, and dashed high expectations from the top-ranked Test team, that had won a preceding five-game one-day international series 3-2 and a three-game Twenty20 series 2-0.

"It is very disappointing to lose a series, away from home, after nine years, and to be part of it, and I hope it doesn't happen again for us," Amla said.

He was still encouraged about the team's future from its current makeup.

"When I first started, South Africa as a team almost looked very similar to what it is at the moment," he said.

"We had some really great players in Jacques (Kallis) and Graeme (Smith), who were probably at their prime at that stage, and some young guns who were coming into the team. We're blooding a few younger guys."

Playing in these conditions was challenging, he added, but the experience will benefit the team in the long run.

The final test is in New Delhi at the Ferozeshah Kotla starting December 3.