South Africa couldn’t carry the weight of a massive 601, forged by India in the 1st innings of the second test, as the visitors crumbled by an innings and 137 runs in Pune. The win, indeed, doesn’t only put the test series in India’s kit but also towers its tally to 11-consecutive wins in test at home. The win in itself eclipses Australia’s record of a 10-consecutive win in the test at home.
After being handed a humiliating defeat in the first two Tests of the series, the Proteas are in a dire need to rethink their strategies before they face India for the final test starting from Oct 19.
During the 4-day long test, India deployed its sourdoughs with a job in hand and they didn’t disappoint. India rode on the likes of its bowlers for the majority of the sessions before Kohli (254*) and Aggrawal (108) helped India forge a massive score, during the first 5 sessions of the game.
This was Kohli’s seventh double ton in Test. He also surpassed legends like Don Bradman (6,996) in terms of runs in Test cricket. Kohli also joined the likes of Ms. Dhoni to lead India to 50 test wins as captain.
Mayank Aggarwal, however, was the show stealer who smashed his second test ton after scoring a double-ton (215) in the first match in Banglore.
As the dusk veiled the second day, South Africa found themselves reduced to 36/3, however, pulled a good run on the 3rd day to end at 275/10 in the first innings. Besides Jadeja death stare, Ashwin and Umesh’s 3 and 4 wickets respectively stole the limelight.
For SA, partnerships between Faf (64) and De Kock (31), and Maharaj (72) and Philander (44) ensured they inch as close as to the score of 601. However, the former three were sent back by Ashwin while the latter enjoyed a not-out run.
With six wickets in total, R Ashwin raced to 356 career Test scalps.
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Eyeing a warp on day 4, Kohli conferred trust in India’s bowling aptitudes and implemented the follow on, a decision he didn’t regret.
Likely, India didn’t have to break much sweat as they bundled SA for 189 on day 4 saving itself a day of hard work and denying a day-long content for the broadcasters.
Opener Dean Elgar (48) was the top-scorer for the visitors in the end innings while pacer Umesh Yadav (3/22) and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/52) took three wickets apiece for India.
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SA spinner Keshav Maharaj (1/196) reached the milestone of 100 wickets in his 27th Test.
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