While many tipped India to be favourites when South Africa landed for three T20 Internationals and as many Tests, one would not have comprehended the gulf in class between the two sides when it came to the longest format.
The Proteas managed just a solitary win throughout the tour but were overpowered by in the remaining encounters.
T20I Series: 1-1 Deadlock
While rain played spoilsport in the opening T20I fixture in Dharamsala, Virat Kohli’s side secured a comfortable win in the following match in Mohali.
After restricting the away side to a below-par score, opener Shikhar Dhawan gave the 150-run chase impetus at the top with a stroke-filled 40. The Indian captain capitalised on the start provided by the southpaw and went on to score an unbeaten half-century to take India home with an over to spare.
However, South Africa fought back in the final T20I with a commanding nine-wicket win in Bengaluru. India’s decision to bat first backfired as they only managed to score 134 for 9 at the end of 20 overs. Gabbar showcased his good form yet again with an attractive 36, inclusive of four fours and two maximums but the innings derailed courtesy of Kagiso Rabada in the middle overs. The South African spearhead finished with 3 for 39 in his four overs. The visitors chased down the target with 19 balls to spare, with Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 79 earning him the player of the match.
Test Series: 3-0 Whitewash
With 120 World Test Championship points on offer, India would have been looking to solidify their spot at the top on the table. And they did that in some style!
The new opening combination of Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma fired big as they stitched together 317 runs for the first wicket on Day 1 in Vizag. While India’s new opener went on to score his fourth Test century, Agarwal registered his maiden Test double century and led India to a massive 502 for 7 dec. South Africa fought back with centuries from Dean Elgar and de Kock but eventually conceded a 71-run lead, with Ravichandran Ashwin picking up 7 for 145.
An aggressive century from Rohit in the second innings helped India post a daunting target of 394, which proved to be 203 runs too many for the Faf du Plessis’ side as they were bundled out for 191 in the fourth innings, with Mohammed Shami picking up a fifer.
Virat Kohli once against won the toss in Pune and had no hesitation in opting to bat first. While Agarwal doubled his Test century tally, the Indian captain went on to register his highest score in Tests, finishing unbeaten on 254 before calling for declaration. Rabada was by far the best bowler for the visitors, finishing with 3 for 93 in the innings.
The Proteas had no answer to India’s bowling prowess as they were bowled out for 275 in the first innings and 189 in the second, conceding the Test by an innings and 137 runs and the series.
India further asserted their dominance in Ranchi with another innings victory by 202 runs. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Indian top order had to face a tricky first session. Rabada was exceptional in the morning, picking up two early wickets and Andre Nortje backed him up by dismissing Kohli. But the home side snatched back the upper hand thanks to a massive 267-run stand between Rohit and Ajinkya Rahane. The latter went on to notch up his 11th Test century while the opener ensured that he went on to score his maiden double century. Jadeja’s half-century and a blistering cameo from Umesh Yadav helped India post 497 for 9 before declaring.
An exceptional bowling performance dismissed the visitors twice in 104.2 overs. Yadav finished with match figures of 5 for 75 while Shami notched up 5 wickets for just 32 runs in the match.
The series win saw India’s total points rise to 240 in the ICC World Test Championship table, with the next best team being New Zealand on 60 points.
The Men in Blue’s next set of fixtures is up against Bangladesh as they face the Tigers in 3 T20Is and a two-match Test series, starting November 3.
While many tipped India to be favourites when South Africa landed for three T20 Internationals and as many Tests, one would not have comprehended the gulf in class between the two sides when it came to the longest format.
The Proteas managed just a solitary win throughout the tour but were overpowered by in the remaining encounters.
T20I Series: 1-1 Deadlock
While rain played spoilsport in the opening T20I fixture in Dharamsala, Virat Kohli’s side secured a comfortable win in the following match in Mohali.
After restricting the away side to a below-par score, opener Shikhar Dhawan gave the 150-run chase impetus at the top with a stroke-filled 40. The Indian captain capitalised on the start provided by the southpaw and went on to score an unbeaten half-century to take India home with an over to spare.
However, South Africa fought back in the final T20I with a commanding nine-wicket win in Bengaluru. India’s decision to bat first backfired as they only managed to score 134 for 9 at the end of 20 overs. Gabbar showcased his good form yet again with an attractive 36, inclusive of four fours and two maximums but the innings derailed courtesy of Kagiso Rabada in the middle overs. The South African spearhead finished with 3 for 39 in his four overs. The visitors chased down the target with 19 balls to spare, with Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 79 earning him the player of the match.
Test Series: 3-0 Whitewash
With 120 World Test Championship points on offer, India would have been looking to solidify their spot at the top on the table. And they did that in some style!
The new opening combination of Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma fired big as they stitched together 317 runs for the first wicket on Day 1 in Vizag. While India’s new opener went on to score his fourth Test century, Agarwal registered his maiden Test double century and led India to a massive 502 for 7 dec. South Africa fought back with centuries from Dean Elgar and de Kock but eventually conceded a 71-run lead, with Ravichandran Ashwin picking up 7 for 145.
An aggressive century from Rohit in the second innings helped India post a daunting target of 394, which proved to be 203 runs too many for the Faf du Plessis’ side as they were bundled out for 191 in the fourth innings, with Mohammed Shami picking up a fifer.
Virat Kohli once against won the toss in Pune and had no hesitation in opting to bat first. While Agarwal doubled his Test century tally, the Indian captain went on to register his highest score in Tests, finishing unbeaten on 254 before calling for declaration. Rabada was by far the best bowler for the visitors, finishing with 3 for 93 in the innings.
The Proteas had no answer to India’s bowling prowess as they were bowled out for 275 in the first innings and 189 in the second, conceding the Test by an innings and 137 runs and the series.
India further asserted their dominance in Ranchi with another innings victory by 202 runs. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Indian top order had to face a tricky first session. Rabada was exceptional in the morning, picking up two early wickets and Andre Nortje backed him up by dismissing Kohli. But the home side snatched back the upper hand thanks to a massive 267-run stand between Rohit and Ajinkya Rahane. The latter went on to notch up his 11th Test century while the opener ensured that he went on to score his maiden double century. Jadeja’s half-century and a blistering cameo from Umesh Yadav helped India post 497 for 9 before declaring.
An exceptional bowling performance dismissed the visitors twice in 104.2 overs. Yadav finished with match figures of 5 for 75 while Shami notched up 5 wickets for just 32 runs in the match.
The series win saw India’s total points rise to 240 in the ICC World Test Championship table, with the next best team being New Zealand on 60 points.
The Men in Blue’s next set of fixtures is up against Bangladesh as they face the Tigers in 3 T20Is and a two-match Test series, starting November 3.
