IND vs SA: Nadeem wraps up India’s first Test whitewash over South Africa on Day 4

12 deliveries. That’s all it took for India on Day 4 to register their biggest win over South Africa in Tests. Shahbaz Nadeem took two wickets in two balls to wrap up the Proteas second innings, as the hosts won the third Test at Ranchi by an innings and 202 runs.

Check the full scorecard here.

A memorable debut for Nadeem

After years of toiling on the domestic circuit, left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem made an impressive start to his Test career. The debutant signed off with four wickets in the Test to seal a memorable win for India. Apart from displaying his spin variations, Nadeem showed fine athleticism with a direct hit to dismiss George Linde in the second innings. At the start of Day 4, captain Virat Kohli straightaway opted for spin in the second over.

How much does one value a national call-up? Ask Test debutant Shahbaz Nadeem ???? #TeamIndia #INDvSA @Paytm pic.twitter.com/KYiihjQryA

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 21, 2019

Wriddhiman Saha, who was replaced by Rishabh Pant late on Day 3, returned to take a sharp catch off Nadeem’s low delivery. Theunis de Bruyn (30) offered some resistance on the previous day but couldn’t survive more than four balls. In the next delivery, Lungi Ngidi (0) hit the ball straight to his partner at the other end, Anrich Nortje. The ball ricocheted off Nortje and went straight into the hands of Nadeem who completed the catch with ease.

Unstoppable India

With the 3-0 series win, India stand strong atop the World Test Championship table having collected 240 points in five Tests. This is the first time that they have inflicted a whitewash over South Africa in Tests. The margin of victory in the third Test is also their biggest over the Proteas. India have now won 11 consecutive Test series at home, the most by any team in world cricket. Their incredible domination continues under the astute leadership of captain Kohli.

Rohit Sharma made for a fantastic opener, scoring 529 runs with three centuries that included his maiden Test double. He was ably supported at the top by Mayank Agarwal, who also got to his maiden Test hundred and double in the series. Captain Kohli wasn’t too far behind, registering his seventh 200-plus score in Test cricket. Ajinkya Rahane finally found form and scored his 11th Test ton at Ranchi.

Such has been the effectiveness of the Indian bowlers that they have taken all 20 South African wickets in each of the three Tests. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav posed plenty of problems to the struggling South African batsmen. The Proteas also didn’t have any answers to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who asked some serious questions. Ashwin had a fruitful return to Test cricket, having gone past the 350-wicket mark. Jadeja was equally handy with the bat as with the ball. The addition of Shahbaz Nadeem, too, worked like a charm for the hosts.

Problems for South Africa

There isn’t a single positive that the Proteas can take away from what has been a horrendous series. Their captain, Faf du Plessis had his own share of issues to start with. There was little positive intent displayed by most South African batsmen. That their opening partnership wasn’t working even after Quinton de Kock’s promotion to the top tells a sorry tale. Their bowlers took a beating from the Indian batsmen day in and day out, especially the spinners. Kagiso Rabada was their only weapon that looked destructive in parts. But the lack of support from the rest of the attack caused their own undoing. In short, South Africa were outplayed by India in all departments.

Perhaps, it is time for South Africa to go back to their drawing board instead of complaining about budget hotels and the food on away tours.