South Africa were left battered and bruised as India completed a series win by a mammoth innings and 137 runs in the 2nd Test in Pune, writes Naeemah Benjamin.
India bowled South Africa out for 275 and 189 to win by an innings and 137 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3 match Test series.
The lack of partnerships and application by our batters was a real concern but our bowlers not being able to bowl out India is something that is just as concerning. That was always our strength and it’s been a let down on this tour. SA were thoroughly outplayed by the hosts.
After the recent World Cup failure, there was a mouthful of changes to the coaching staff and administrative staff. Added to that there were retirements of SA greats. Of course it was going to be tough, and even tougher with all the underlining issues but surely this was not expected? Or was it?
Skittling SA’s top order by stumps on day three gave the India skipper plenty of time to decide whether to enforce the follow-on or not.
Indeed on day 4 he did and SA padded up to bat to try and save themselves from humiliation.
READ: Session Moments: India topple Proteas top order
Aiden Markram was out for 0, but replays showed it was not and unfortunately with him being out of form, they looked uncertain and hesitant whether to review or not. They probably thought why “waste” the review. Nevertheless, back to the changing room he went. Just the start India wanted. Not so much for the visitors.
Theunis de Bruyn, under immense pressure to perform, was out for 8. Once again the top order failed, but this time the skipper Faf du Plessis strolled out at 4. He played a bit of a weird innings of 5 off 54 balls, a completely different approach to the first innings which saw him string together an attacking half-century.
READ: SESSION MOMENTS: INDIA CLOSE IN ON SERIES VICTORY
Ashwin started the onslaught for a massive victory and started with breaking the partnership between Du Plessis and Dean Elgar which was worth 49 runs.
Both Faf and Elgar did the hard work, playing out a few balls and surviving and with lunch a few minutes away that would’ve been their aim, to just hang about and continue after lunch. Alas, both were back in the pavilion before the interval. The latter fell 2 runs short of a half-century.
Temba Bavuma, another player under pressure to get runs, almost backed up his honest press conference, but his efforts were shattered when he fell for a well-played 38 from 63 balls. Again, batsmen doing the hard work upfront, but not pushing on.
Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj’s 56-run stand was once again the highest partnership. They both looked sensible and calm at the crease, understanding their roles and just knocking the ball around.
There is a lot of refocusing for the Proteas to do. With this being the World Test Championship, dead-rubber games do not exist any more. There are still points up for grabs. Important points for South Africa who are yet to get any on the board.
Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
