South Africa humiliate India by 408 runs, win first Test series on Indian soil in 25 years

South Africa humiliate India by 408 runs (BCCI Photo)

India endured yet another defeat in a home Test series after being crushed by 408 runs in the second match against South Africa in Guwahati. India, who were handed an improbable victory target of 549, were folded for 140/10 in the second innings on Day 5.

The humiliating defeat comes a week after India endured a 30-run loss at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This allowed South Africa complete a whitewash in the two-match series and marks their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years.

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The proceedings on Day 5 began with India staring down the barrel as ruthless South Africa continued to torture the hosts. Resuming from the overnight total of 27/2, India lost three wickets in the first session. Simon Harmer ended nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav's resistance first, castling the tailender for 5 and then got rid of Dhruv Jurel for 2 in the same over. The spinner then removed Rishabh Pant for 13. Ravindra Jadeja joined Sai Sudharsan in the middle and took the team to 90/5 at Tea.

Senuran Muthusamy then ended Sudharsan's resistance as play got underway in the second session, dismissing the batter for 14 off 139 balls. While Jadeja hung around and even completed his half-century but India couldn't prevent the inevitable.

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Washington Sundar was dismissed for 16 after resisting for 44 balls, but Nitish Kumar Reddy was the biggest disappointment. The latter failed to open his account, while Jadeja was stumped for 54.

Simon Harmer, who was named Player of the Match in the previous Test, finished with six scalps in the second innings.

Earlier, South Africa, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, piled a massive 489/10 in the first innings. Muthusamy slammed his first Test century, while Marco Jansen scored 93 off 91 balls.

The tall pacer then derailed the hosts with his clinical bowling as India could manage 201/10 in response handing South Africa a healthy lead of 288 runs. The Proteas then chose to bat for the second time instead of enforcing a follow-on. They piled 260/5 before declaring in the final session on Day 4.