India
India (Credits - Twitter)

Team India once again produced a complete effort to beat South Africa by 137 runs and an innings in the second Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune. As a result, the host seals the series 2-0 with one match still to go in Ranchi starting from October 19.

South Africa once again succumbed under pressure of India massive total like Visakhapatnam. Opting to bat first, India posted 601 for five before declaring, banking on a double century from skipper Virat Kohli and a hundred from Mayank Agarwal.

Virat Kohli | VVS Laxman |
Virat Kohli. Credits – BCCI

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The opener continued his blistering form with the bat and backed his first Test double-hundred with another century. On the other hand, Kohli broke a plethora of records on his way to an unbeaten 254* before declaring the innings after the dismissal of Ravindra Jadeja (91). This is also Virat Kohli’s highest score as he leapfrogged Sachin Tendulkar’s Test average.

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The Proteas once again faltered with their batting but the credit should go the Indian seamers for bowling their heart out. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami broke the top-order before Ravichandran Ashwin claimed four to clean off the tail.

India vs South Africa 2019: 2nd Test - Match Report
Umesh Yadav cleans off Dean Elgar. Photo by Deepak Malik / SPORTZPICS for BCCI

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However, India had to work hard to remove the tailenders and Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj resisted well adding 109 runs for the ninth wicket. But Ashwin provided the host with breakthroughs to give India a lead of 326 runs.

Virat Kohli-led India enforced a follow-on for the first time against South Africa since 2018 on day four. The Proteas needed an upside change in their batting but failed to do so with Ishant Sharma removing opener Aiden Markram early. Umesh Yadav also joined the party as Wriddhiman Saha grabbed a stunner to dismiss Theunis de Bruyn.

India vs South Africa 2019: 2nd Test - Match Report
India celebrate the win. Credit: BCCI

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Skipper Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar looked to bail South Africa but Ravichandran Ashwin came to India’s rescue removing both the set batsmen. But Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander tried to form a resistance but Philander surrendered in front of Umesh Yadav’s brilliance.

Ravindra Jadeja cleaned off the tail removing Keshav Maharaj to secure the series win with one match still to go.

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Brief score: India 601/5 dec. (Virat Kohli 254*, Kagiso Rabada 3/93) beat South Africa 275,

 

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