The World Test Champions South Africa completed a comprehensive rout of India, winning by 408 runs in the second Test in Guwahati and completed a 2-0 whitewash on Indian soil – their first Test series victory in India for 25 years – since the year 2000.
The meticulous and strategic nature of their declaration in the second innings, explained by coach Shukri Conrad, had the Indian reporters eating out of the palm of his hand as he used the term ‘grovel’, illustrating just how he wanted to deliver a slow poison to India and then wrestle them into submission.
If this were a boxing match, India would have been knocked out. This was the equivalent of the Springboks scrummage mastery against the Irish. India got pummelled!
Where they needed the grit, resilience, and patience exhibited by the South African batters in the first innings – in particular the lower-order and none more so than on the morning of day two – they exhibited very little of the sought, falling rather to the penchant of the shorter forms of the game that we’ve seen creeping into cricket’s purest form.
In the first innings, the Protea batters at the top order were guilty of getting starts but not kicking on to bigger scores.
At 246/6, India looked like they had gained the ascendancy, but an 88-run partnership between Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne, followed by a 97-run stand between Muthusamy and Marco Jansen, sent matters downhill for India.
Muthusamy’s ton – the only one of the series – and Jansen’s blistering 93 gave South Africa more than just a sliver of hope.
489 was a huge score, and with the batters taking up the better part of two days, India’s backs were firmly against the wall.
As if his batting contribution wasn’t enough, Jansen then contributed with the ball, ripping through the Indian batting lineup with 6 wickets – ably supported by Simon Harmer, who took 3/64. India were all out for a paltry 201, giving South Africa a gargantuan 288-run lead.
The World Test Champions delayed their second innings declaration with an eye on seeing Tristan Stubbs through to his hundred. When he was dismissed, they made their way back into the changeroom for an innings change at 260/5, and with just over one day to bat, left India an impossible target of 548 runs to win.
For India, it was a matter of survival, but they had already lost two wickets before the end of day four.
Day five was a day India would care to forget. With very little resistance, Simon Harmer cantered through the wickets, taking an impressive 6/37 in 23 overs.
Aiden Markram also set a new world record for catches in a Test match by a fielder with nine.
In a moment that typified the game and series, Marco Jansen’s one-handed catch to end the series, running towards the boundary, left everyone amazed at his athletic brilliance. Simply sensational by a man who could do no wrong!
It was probably an appropriate way to end the series – one in which the Proteas were nothing short of brilliant.
Temba Bavuma continued his unbeaten record as captain, while credit must also be attributed to coach Shukri Conrad.
The Proteas were emphatic in the manner in which they demolished India. To be systematically dismantled will leave lots of questions for Gautam Gambhir. Where Indian fans would have expected some fight, there was none. But that is not a South African problem. On paper, South Africa might not look strong. As a unit, though, we can be devastating – as Australia and now India have found out. Right now, South African Test cricket looks strong. As we want it to be.
Player of the match: Marco Jansen – 93, 6/48 and 1/23
Player of the series: Simon Harmer – 17 wickets
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