On this day in 2019: India register their biggest Test win over South Africa
India has been ruling the world of cricket extraordinarily over the past few years. The national side has been dominating the heavyweights of the cricket world across formats. Under the captaincy of one of the finest batsmen in the world Virat Kohli, the Indian team had some great overseas outings too in the Test game. One of the extraordinary victories that India saw in 2019 came on this day against South Africa during the ICC World Test Championship Test at home.
The start
During India’s second Test vs South Africa in Pune, Virat Kohli and company held their heads high after winning the match by an innings and 137 runs. Batting first, the Indian team declared on a massive 601/5 where skipper Kohli’s scintillating double ton was a treat for every Indian. He played a brilliant knock of 254 runs and was honoured with the Man of the Match award, undoubtedly. The cherry on the cake was Mayank Agarwal’s amazing century (108 off 195).
Ravindra Jadeja also added essential 91 runs from his bat to take the team’s score to another level. Kagiso Rabada was an effective bowler from South Africa’s bowling unit as he scalped three wickets in due course of time. Hunting down the massive target at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, the Proteas team failed terribly. The entire order got bundled out for merely 275 runs.
Ashwin’s magic
None of the batters could do the required job for the team. Faf du Plessis’ 64 and Keshav Maharaj’s 72 were the only bright spots in South Africa’s batting line up. Ravi Ashwin displayed his magic with the ball as he named four scalps to his credit. Pacer Umesh Yadav also did a fine job with the ball as he dismissed three batsmen from.
As the opponents were wrapped up on a mere 275, they invited a follow-on and went on to bat in their 2nd innings. Adding to their misery, their batting show in the second innings dipped even worse. The whole order left the pitch after gathering just 189 in the team’s account. Dean Elgar remained the highest run-scorer for South Africa as he played a knock of 48 runs.
India’s most remarkable win over the Proteas
This time it was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who was threatening in his spin attacks. He and Umesh Yadav picked three wickets each to send the opponents back to the pavilion in no time. Ashwin got two wickets under his belt this time. India grabbed the match by an innings and 137 runs to register one of the biggest Test victories against South Africa. After this Test, India led the series 2-0 back then. What turned out to be South Africa’s biggest horror was their 3rd and final Test against India in that series.
India were already marching forward in style with a 2-0 lead. In the final test, India defeated the guests by an innings and 202 runs. This time it was Rohit Sharma who caused all the damage. He smashed a swashbuckling double ton to bag the Man of the Match honour, and India completed a phenomenal series win at home.
