IND WON
Test
IND beat SA by an innings and 137 runs
Man of the Match - Virat Kohli
IND
601-5
 
275-10
&
189/10
SA
Freedom Trophy, 2019 |2nd Test |10/10/2019
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Commentary
  • So that is it from this game. Hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. India have won the series and engraved their name in the history books as this becomes their 11th consecutive Test series win at home. This is not the end of the series though. We go to Ranchi for the third and final Test of the series. That game begins on 19th October, i.e., Saturday. Join us for that one. Till then cheers!
  • Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, who is also the Man of the Match comes in for the chat. Talking about his seventh double ton, Kohli says that captaincy pressure has helped him. Adds that he does not plan to go and score a double century but goes in with the mindset of playing five sessions for the team and score runs. On his muted celebrations after reaching the milestone, Kohli says that he has matured over the years which is a natural process. Adds that he is in a phase of his career where things like scoring centuries or double centuries does not matter much to him. Points out that helping the team win is more important. On his stand with Rahane, when Rabada was bowling well, Kohli says that he enjoys batting with Rahane. Points out that both of them love to play against top-class bowlers and score runs for the side. Adds that they both help each other whenever they are out in the middle. Talking about the catching in the slip cordon, Kohli points that they have planned well and everyone is doing well. Mentions Saha for his superb keeping and adds that even Ashwin came back into the side well. On the unassailable lead in the series, Kohli says that the series win is okay but mentions that since all these games are part of the ICC Test Championship, they will not take the foot off the gas.
  • Faf du Plessis, the South African skipper is the first one to have a word. Talking about the first innings, Faf says that the first innings are always important in the subcontinent. Congratulates Kohli for his superb double tons and points out that the side got tired up because of tough two days. Adds that the team needs to be on the top of the game but they weren't and hence the defeat. Talking further on Kohli's century, Faf says that Kohli was too good in the entire innings. Says that Kohli looked determined and he was hungry for runs. On his three pacer combination, Faf believes the selection was a right call but admits that the bowlers need to do well. Points out that the Indian seamers have done well and they never look out of form. Mentions that he can't blame debutant Nortje for this game. On Ngidi, Faf says that he is fine and working well on his fitness but on these conditions he needs to be completely fit to bowl longer spells.
  • Stay tuned for the presentation.
  • Umesh Yadav and Saha are in for a quick chat with Sanjay Manjrekar. Talking about the two catches that Saha took off Umesh's bowling, the pacer thanks his wicket-keeper and says that with Saha, we are sure that even if the ball is down the leg side, Saha can catch them. Talking about his second ball wicket, Umesh points out that there is healthy competition in the team. Adds that he keeps working hard and practices well. Points that he has a mindset that whenever he gets an opportunity, he is ready to do well. Saha talking about his keeping says that keeping against the pacers is tough as they bowl with the wobble seam. On his fitness, Saha says that everyone works well with the trainer and they prepare well ahead of the games. On his return to the side, Umesh says that he knew that he will get a game for sure and adds that he had taken 10 wickets in his last game and was very confident.
  • India dominated the day from the moment the toss went in their favour. The hosts after opting to bat put up a massive total of 601/5, courtesy of a magnificent unbeaten 254 from skipper Virat Kohli. With the help of a century from Mayank Agarwal and fifties from Jadeja, Pujara and Rahane, the Indians posted a huge first innings total. The hosts continued their dominance with the ball too as they wrapped up South Africa for 275. Ashwin was the star with the ball in the first innings as he finished with a 4-fer.
  • We were treated by another brilliant display of bowling by the Indian bowlers. All the recognized bowlers got into the wickets column. Jadeja and Umesh shared 6 wickets equally amongst themselves whereas Ashwin got two. While Shami and Ishant Sharma had one wicket each. The duo of Ashwin and Umesh had a very good game with the ball finishing the match with 6-wickets each.
  • It was a lacklustre show once again from the South African batters, especially the top order. When there is a follow-on, the top order, especially the openers need to put up a fight but it was a no show. Only 4 players got into the double digit score. With two of them, Maharaj and Philander being tail-enders. This in itself shows the sorry state of the South African batting. Elgar and Temba Bavuma were the only two 'recognized' batters who showed some fight. Faf du Plessis showed resilience but that was not good enough.
  • After keeping the suspense on Day 3, India decided to enforce the follow-on. They got off to a brilliant start, getting rid of Aiden Markram on the very second ball of the day. The Indian bowlers were well on top in the first session and picked 4 wickets. They had a similar start to the second session as well. They got 3 wickets post Lunch but Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander once again troubled the hosts. But the Tea break brought a lapse in concentration between the duo as it took only around 7 overs for India to wrap up the innings.
  • 2-0 it is which means India have taken an unassailable lead in the three-match series. With another 40 points in the World Test Championship, India not just increase their lead at the top they also become the first team to reach 200 points and maintain their unbeaten run in WTC.
  • 67.2
    W
    R Jadeja to Maharaj, OUT! The on-field umpire is spot on! Three reds and South Africa have been bundled out. Shorter pitching on off, Keshav looks to defend but misses. The ball hits him on his back pad. The Indian players go up in a loud and confident appeal. The umpire nods his head and raises his finger. Maharaj takes it upstairs. Replays roll in, Ultra Edge shows that there was no bat involved and then Ball Tracker shows three reds. The ball was clipping the leg pole. INDIA WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 137 RUNS.
  • UDRS TIME! Is this game over? Looks close. Here comes the Ultra Edge, no bat. Here comes the Ball Tracker. Three reds it is.
  • 67.1
    0
    R Jadeja to Maharaj, Tossed up on off, Maharaj pushes it back to the bowler.
  • END OF OVER 67 | 4 Runs & 1 Wkt | SA 189/9
  • Anrich Nortje is the last man in for the visitors.
  • 66.6
    W
    U Yadav to Rabada, OUT! CAUGHT! The over ends the way it started. India now just a wicket away from wrapping up this game. Fuller outside off, Rabada looks to defend but then decides to leave. Too late though as the ball finds the edge and goes to the man at second slip. Rohit Sharma bends forward and takes a good catch.
  • 66.5
    4
    U Yadav to K Rabada, FOUR! Overpitched around off, Rabada gets on his front foot and drives it off the meat of his bat through covers for a boundary.
  • 66.4
    0
    U Yadav to Rabada, Bouncer! Kagiso ducks under it.
  • 66.3
    0
    U Yadav to Rabada, Good length ball on off and middle, Rabada defends it towards point and shouts a loud no.
  • 66.2
    0
    U Yadav to Rabada, Full and just outside off, Rabada leaves it alone.
  • Kagiso Rabada is the next man in!
  • 66.1
    W
    U Yadav to Philander, OUT! CAUGHT! The consistent bad ball has actually produced the breakthrough. Once again Umesh bowls it full and down the leg side. Philander looks to flick but the ball takes a slight edge and goes to the left of the keeper. Saha moves swiftly to that side and takes a fine catch. The 56-run stand is broken. Lucky breakthrough for Umesh but he isn't complaining.
  • END OF OVER 66 | 1 Runs & 1 Wkt | SA 185/7
  • 65.6
    0
    R Jadeja to Maharaj, How did that miss the stumps? Just over the stumps. Jadeja gives it a lot of air and bowls it full. Maharaj comes forward to defend but the ball shoots off the surface and goes over the stumps. Saha is hit on the chest as he looks to grab it.
  • 65.5
    1
    R Jadeja to Philander, Fuller ball this time, Philander pushes it back to the bowler. Jadeja looks to deflect it onto the stumps but he fails to do so. The ball goes towards mid off. Kohli there dives and stops the ball but a single taken.