India wins second test; seals 11th consecutive test series at home
By Anurag Mallick Published on 14 Oct 2019 11:04 AM IST
Hyderabad: Team India won the second test of the series as they sealed the series 2-0 against South Africa on the fourth day at Pune on Sunday by an innings and 137 runs.
All-round performances from the Indian team made sure that they won the test match as well as the series 2-0, with the third test match yet to be played.
Virat's men piled up a mountain score of 601 runs with Skipper Virat Kohli scoring a career best of 254* alongside Mayank Agarwal (108), Ravindra Jadeja (91) and Ajinkya Rahane (59). Pacer Kagiso Rabada picked 3 wickets. Virat declared the Indian innings at 601/5 as South African batsmen came into bat.
The Indian bowling attack took no time in causing damage to the South African scoreboard as the Indian bowlers picked wickets at regular intervals. The South African tail showed some grit in the middle as they played more than 50 overs by making it tough for the Indian bowlers. Bowler Keshav Maharaj scored his first test fifty. He top-scored with 72 as South Africa were bundled out for 275. Spinner Ravi Ashwin picked 4 wickets.
India, with a massive lead of 326 runs decided to enforce the follow-on on the South Africans. Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram walked out to bat as the Indian bowlers looked to bowl them out within 326 to win the test by a margin of an innings.
The South African batsmen as usual continued their poor form as the top order batsmen got out cheaply. The tail-enders again showed grit and courage to stay in there for as much time as possible. This time around, they failed to repeat the first innings heroics as they were bundled out for 189. Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav picked 3 wickets each.
Hence winning the test by an innings and 137 runs, and the series by 2-0. The Indian team scripted history as they won their 11th consecutive test series at home, the most by any team.
India broke Australia's record of 10 test series wins, which they had achieved twice. This was also India's biggest margin of victory on the Proteas in Test matches. The third and final test is yet to be played at Ranchi.
