IND VS RSA - 2nd Test, South Africa tour of India, 2019

The gulf between the performances of sides at home and away continues to broaden alarmingly as the Monolithic entities of the cricketing world continue to leave it high and dry. On that note, it's Rishi Roy signing off, along with Sriram AS, who's taken you through the final moments of the Test, Pradeep Krishnamurthy, Mukesh Gowda, and Abhinand Raghavendran. Here's a clinking glass to a more competitive Test match in Ranchi, with perhaps more fearless cricket from the guests, and subsequently, some big-picture takeaway from this rather predictable series so far...  

Remember monopoly? Once you start losing, there's simply no coming back. It's up to the team that's ahead to keep winning and the other to remain stoic until the misery comes to an end. It's like a regressive tax system, or the bout of nepotism in the Indian film industry: it simply uplifts the already uplifted, and oppresses the downtrodden. That's what the modern-day home series has come to - blood-sucking loss that comes a 9-hour flight away from home, with a deflating recent history pulling them down along with the heat and humidity, and their country's pride at stake.

South Africa are hurting. They have some time to hurt before the final Test, but also a lot of areas to improve on so that they can hurt the Indians in the dead-rubber. Poor control of the SG ball by the pacers, possibly a case of burnout for Rabada, incompetence against spin, incompetence at bowling spin, the openers' woes, by extension in World Cricket as Markram continues to be one for the future, a finite entity that continues to dilates by the tour, not to mention the tosses - and it doesn't help that the cream of their cricketers have been forced to put on a different outfit...

Kohli (2/2): The good thing is when we started, we were at number 7. The only way was up. We laid down a few things and are all lucky to have this group of players. In the last 3-4 years, it's amazing to see that hunger for all the guys to keep improving. Saha was back to his best, coming into Vizag you could see he was nervous. Ashwin has stepped up beautifully and it's guys willing to work hard on those one or two percent things for the team. It's been nice and looking at the larger picture - the Test Championship, every game has even more value. We are not going to take the foot off the gas in the third Test. We are looking for a result and hopefully make it 3-0. No-one's going to relax at any stage, that is a guarantee.

Virat Kohli, Indian skipper and player of the match (1/2): It's about getting the responsibility back as a captain (on scoring the double-hundred). The mindset is always to help the team and in that process, the big scores come. I think the moment you start thinking about the team, all the pressure goes away. I am at a stage in my career where I am happy to be playing the way I am and contributing for my team. Putting the team in a commanding position is the only goal. It's been a natural progress to have a calm mindset over the years. I have a good understanding at that and hence the muted celebration. You have to look forward to playing against the new ball. I enjoy batting with Jinks (Rahane), he has a great mindset. We communicate and run well between the wickets. We are probably the most successful Indian pair and the only reason is both of us play for the team. We take a lot of pride in that. Having him at the other end, keeps you focussed.

Faf du Plessis, South African skipper: We know in the sub-continent, first innings is really important. The runs that you put on the board, gives yourself a chance. But the way India batted and especially Virat getting 250 (254) takes a lot of mental toughness. To put a score like that in the first innings and two days on the field got us down. The batsmen were weak on mindset for fielding for so long. You have to be on top of your best game, if you aren't then you are found wanting. We saw in the first Test as well, as a captain you try and think of ways about the field placements. All the questions and stuff we threw at him (Virat Kohli), he had the answers. Just relentless and sticking to his game. For me what really stuck out was the hunger for runs. I feel it was the right selection for this pitch; I thought it was the right-decision picking an extra seamer. KG managed to build some pressure but we needed another bowler to compete, who could do that job. When you look at the Indian attack, they bowl well in pairs. It was a young fast bowler making his (about Nortje) debut, it's about learning and improving. Ngidi is fine and is working hard on his fitness. It's about getting his tank up and hopefully, we'll see if he plays the next Test. All in all, India deservedly are the Test series winners and their record speaks for itself. We will try to improve in the next Test.

Harsha Bhogle: India's biggest win over South Africa. Been better at all aspects. And the series has been won, not on minefields, but on perfectly good tracks. This one in Pune was excellent.

Wriddhiman Saha: Actually prep-wise, Umesh, Ishant and Shami bowl at me, and we practice that way, they give me some really good practice with the moving ball. Our trainers help us out with stretches, ice-baths, and we are trained for the match-day really well, so credit to them for my fitness as well as my wicketkeeping performance.

Umesh Yadav: I think I should treat him for those wickets down leg-side and that first catch, and I think they are Saha's wickets. I thought they were going for boundaries, that's always the thought when it's down leg-side, but I was thanking God and Saha that I got those wickets. There is a healthy competition in the side, and I knew that if I get a chance, I had to grab it. I had taken 10 wickets in the last home match in Hyderabad (2018 vs West Indies), and I was confident about bowling in India. I had a good mindset and I was happy that I executed my skills on the ground.

Elgar and Faf, who promoted himself ahead of Bavuma showed some gumption with a spirited partnership for the third wicket only to throw it away in a quick span of time with Ashwin accounting for both the batsmen. The result was a foregone conclusion from then but Maharaj and Philander, decided to keep the Indian bowlers at bay, dragging their team to Tea. The writing was on the wall and the home team wiped off the innings in around 30 minutes post the break. South Africa never really recovered after conceding a 600-plus total in the first innings. Having said that, they have a lot of positives to take forward to Ranchi. Wait for the presentations which will be up in a bit..

15:03 Local Time, 09:33 GMT, 15:03 IST: The celebrations were halted but only for a brief while. India have sealed the series with one more game to go. With this win, they have also snatched the Freedom Trophy from the Proteas' cupboard. Hugs and hi-fives follow among the Indians. Virat Kohli applauds the Pune crowd before leaving the field. Domineering stuff from the hosts. They have handed South Africa a fearful mauling. They opted to enforce the follow-on this morning and the bowling unit were just relentless. The Indian pacers drew first blood, ending Markram's woes off the second ball of the innings and de Bruyn.

Most consecutive series wins at home
11 India 2012/13 - present *
10 Australia 1994/95 - 2000/01
10 Australia 2004 - 2008/09
08 West Indies 1975/76 - 1985/86

This is South Africa's first innings defeat since losing by an innings & 57 runs against India in Kolkata in Feb 2010. Also, the second instance of India beating South Africa by an innings margin.

Only the second instance of South Africa losing by a margin of innings & 100+ runs to team other than Australia or England. Previous: Innings & 153 runs vs SL, Colombo SSC, 2006

Most consecutive losses by SA away from home
10 between Feb 1911 & Aug 1924
6 between Jul 2017 - present *
5 between Nov 1931 & Feb 1932

Most wins in first 50 Tests as captain
37 Steve Waugh
35 Ricky Ponting
30 Virat Kohli *
27 Viv Richards

Eight innings wins for India under Virat Kohli - joint second most with Azharuddin. Only MS Dhoni (9) has more.

Jadeja to Maharaj, out Lbw!! Final blow has been dealt by Jadeja. It was the quicker delivery, goes straight on and Maharaj is caught in the crease which led to his downfall. It crashes onto the pad in front of middle and only height was a factor that could've saved him. Tried his luck and took the review but in vain. A victory by an innings and 137 runs for India. As comprehensive as it gets. Maharaj lbw b Jadeja 22(65) [4s-3]

Jadeja to Maharaj, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

South Africa review: Maharaj is given out lbw, expectedly he challenges the decision. Not a no-ball. Definitely no bat as well, UltraEdge confirms it. Three reds on HawkEye. The on-field call stays.

Jadeja to Maharaj, no run, flighted full, pushed back towards the bowler

Anrich Nortje, right handed bat, comes to the crease

U Yadav to Rabada, out Caught by Rohit!! Has that carried? Rohit and India are celebrating. So, it has then. Superb hands from Rohit today at slip. Yadav changed his angle and went round the stumps. Hammered it on a good length and extracts slight juice to square up the batsman. Rabada groped tentatively and the outside edge traveled to Rohit at second slip. It was dipping in front of him, but he got down quickly and clasps it beautifully. Rabada c Rohit b U Yadav 4(5) [4s-1]

U Yadav to Rabada, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

U Yadav to Rabada, FOUR, no half-measures whatsoever from Rabada. Bends his back knee, keeps his balance and drives this half-volley through extra cover sublimely

Otaj Ihba: Umesh Yadav has quietly proved his worth to the Indian management once more ... He is perhaps the best old ball bowler they have in the subcontinent, and that counts a lot. Hopefully he gets more opportunities in the remaining three home Tests!

U Yadav to Rabada, no run, digs in the bumper, forcing Rabada to take evasive action