India beat South Africa to take unassailable 2-0 series lead

Hosts India defeated South Africa by an innings and 137 runs on the fourth day of the second Test at Pune to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Sunday, 13 October.

This is India’s 11th straight series victory at home, a new Test record having surpassed Australia who won 10 consecutive home series on two occasions.

India took 30 minutes to wrap up the South African tail post tea as Umesh Yadav picked up two quick wickets after the resumption of play in the final session, while Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with one as South Africa were bowled out for 189 runs in 67.2 overs.

Umesh Yadav took 3-22 while Jadeja finished with 3-52 as the duo shared six wickets to wrap up the Proteas’ second innings, which lasted only 6.2 overs after the players returned to the field for the final session.

Vernon Philander (37) and Keshav Maharaj (22) added 56 runs for the eighth wicket. Before they could frustrate India further, Yadav had Philander caught down the leg side.

The end came soon after. Jadeja trapped Maharaj lbw, before Yadav returned to wrap up proceedings with Kagiso Rabada (4) caught at slip.

India had enforced the follow-on after taking a 326-run lead in the first innings. It was the first time South Africa have followed-on in a test since 2008.

In the morning, Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice as South Africa were reeling at 74-4 at lunch. He finished with 2-45.

Mohammed Shami (1-34) and Ishant Sharma (1-17) took a wicket apiece.In the morning, Sharma and Yadav had struck with the new ball to remove Aiden Markram and Theunis de Bruyn, respectively.

Faf du Plessis promoted himself up to number four and blocked his way to five runs off 54 balls before Ashwin got rid of him.

Keeper Wriddhiman Saha had an important contribution in dismissing both de Bruyn and du Plessis, supporting the bowlers with diving catches in both instances.

South Africa had conceded a 326-run lead after being bowled out for 275 in the first innings. Virat Kohli’s 254 not out had helped India amass 601-5 declared.