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PHOTOS: India thrash SA in Pune to take 2-0 series lead

Last updated on: October 13, 2019 16:15 IST

Images from Sunday, Day 4 of the second Test between India and South Africa, in Pune.

- SCORECARD

India captain Virat Kohli celebrates with Umesh Yadav after the latter dismissed Vernon Philander

IMAGE: India captain Virat Kohli celebrates with Umesh Yadav after the latter dismissed Vernon Philander. Photograph: BCCI

The Indian juggernaut continued to roll as the hosts humiliated South Africa by an innings and 137 runs in the second Test to clinch the three-match series, in Pune on Sunday.

The struggling South Africa batsmen once again surrendered to the Indian bowlers, who asserted their supremacy at home.

 

The comprehensive victory, coming on the fourth day, has consolidated India's top position in the World Test Championship table. India now have 200 points in their kitty, a handsome 140 points lead over nearest-rivals New Zealand.

Leading India in his 50th Test as captain, Virat Kohli has now taken India to a world record 11th consecutive series win at home – the record was earlier twice held by Australia.

After being asked to follow-on, South Africa were all-out for 189 in 67.2 overs just after the tea break.

Following a superb effort from the batsmen, it was an all-round effort from India's five-pronged bowling unit with comeback man Umesh Yadav claiming 3 for 22.

Ravindra Jadeja celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Temba Bavuma 

IMAGE: Ravindra Jadeja celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Temba Bavuma. Photograph: BCCI

Ravindra Jadeja (3/52), Ravichandran Ashwin (2/45), Mohammed Shami (1/34) and Ishant Sharma (1/17) played their part in the comprehensive victory.

Like in the first innings, Vernon Philander (37) and Maharaj (22) again came together to delay the inevitable adding 56 runs in 21.2 overs.

Once Philander was caught down the leg-side by Wriddhiman Saha, the resistance was over in a flash.

Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha takes a brilliant catch to dismiss Faf du Plessis off Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling.

IMAGE: India’s wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha takes a brilliant catch to dismiss South Africa captain Faf du Plessis off Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling on Sunday, Day 4 of the second Test, in Pune. Photograph: BCCI

Umesh Yadav (3-22 in 8 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/52 in 21.2 overs) bagged three wickets each as India overwhelmed South Africa by an innings and 137 runs on the fourth day of the second Test, in Pune, on Sunday.

Following-on, the pair of Vernon Philander (37) and Keshav Maharaj (22) only delayed the inevitable after South Africa witnessed another top-order collapse and were all out for 189 in their second innings in the final session of day four.

 

The victory put India 2-0 up in the three-match series. They won the first Test in Visakhapatnam by 203 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwn celebrates with teammates after Wriddhiman Saha catches Faf du Plessis

IMAGE: Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates with teammates after Wriddhiman Saha catches Faf du Plessis. Photograph: BCCI

In the post-lunch session, Ravindra Jadeja removed Quinton de Kock (5) and Temba Bavuma (38) while Mohammed Shami (1/34 in 9 overs), with a short delivery, got rid of Senuran Muthusamy (9). However, Philander and Maharaj again came together to delay the inevitable adding 43 runs in 16.1 overs.

The stodgy Dean Elgar (48 off 72 balls) put up stiff resistance before Ravichandran Ashwin (2/8 in 8 overs) snuffed him out, in what was a decisive blow for the Proteas just before lunch.

After going wicketless in the first innings, Ishant Sharma (1/17 off 5 overs) struck with the second delivery of the morning, a full-length in-dipper that struck Aiden Markram's pads (0) and umpire Nigel Llong raised his finger.

Ishant Sharma of India celebrates the wicket of Aiden Markram

IMAGE: Ishant Sharma celebrates with Ajinkya Rahane after winning a favourable leg before shout against Aiden Markram. Photograph: BCCI

After a long discussion with non-striker Elgar, Markram did not opt for the review, but television replays clearly showed the ball was missing the leg-stump. The opener thus had the ignominy of bagging a 'pair' in this Test.

However, it was Wriddhiman Saha's superb keeping skills that had all those present on the edge of their seats, as he showed why he is so highly rated for his glovework.

Wriddhiman Saha successfully appeals for the catch of Theunis de Bruyn.

IMAGE: Wriddhiman Saha successfully appeals for the catch of Theunis de Bruyn. Photograph: BCCI

On the third morning during the South African first innings, poor Theunis de Bruyn (8) had suffered trying to play an expansive cover drive off Umesh Yadav (1/14 off 5 overs) that Saha had plucked from thin air in-front of the first slip.

On the fourth morning, De Bruyn tried playing a delicate glance after Umesh had drifted on the pads. To his horror, he saw an airborne Saha pull off an acrobatic stunner that left everyone on the edge of their seats.

Dean Elgar

IMAGE: Dean Elgar hit a stubborn 48 off 72 balls. Photograph: BCCI

Elgar and skipper Faf du Plessis (5 off 54 balls) added 49 runs and were ready to show patience, especially the skipper, who was presenting dead bat.

However, the ultra-defensive tactic didn't work for a lengthy period as Du Plessis got out trying to drive an Ashwin off-break. The bat-pad inside edge kept low but Saha's sharp reflexes meant that he pouched it on the fourth attempt.

 India's players rush to congratulate Rohit Sharma after he catches Senuran Muthusamy.

IMAGE: India's players rush to congratulate Rohit Sharma after he catches Senuran Muthusamy. Photograph: BCCI

Elgar, who lost a bit of concentration, tried to play a lofted shot but didn't get his timing right as Umesh ran back from his mid-off position to take a fine running catch.

South Africa lost their sixth wicket when a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja forced Temba Bavuma (38) to the edge the ball and Rahane completed a superb catch on his left in the slips.

Mohammed Shami (1/34 in 9 overs) had South Africa in more trouble when his short delivery saw Senuran Muthusamy (9) going on the backfoot and edging the ball to Rohit Sharma at slips.

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