IND vs SA 2nd Test Results

8:25 AM IST On the other hand, India have ample time to go back to the drawing board and assess the next steps forward to improve in their own backyard. They are under a transition phase and their next home series will not be until early 2027, when they host Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. That can be a blessing in disguise as well. The coaching staff and leadership group have some serious soul-searching to do. The talent is undeniable. The results at home have been anything but. Well then, that wraps up a thoroughly absorbing Test series. South Africa take it hands down 2-0, and now both teams will shift their focus for the white-ball format as Ranchi is all set to host the first of the three ODIs on Sunday, 30th November. KL Rahul has the captain's armband for that series, in absence of Gill and will see the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for India. For South Africa, Temba Bavuma will continue to lead a fired up Proteas side. The first ball of the first ODI is scheduled to be bowled at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). But do make sure to mark your presence a bit earlier for all the pre-match buzz and buildup. Until then, we take your leave, only to meet again. Stay safe, cheers!

8:19 AM IST The blueprint for batting on challenging surfaces is not rocket science. Occupy the crease for as long as you can, wait for the bad ball, and construct your innings brick by brick, and more importantly, with patience. Sure, easier said than done. But South Africa followed this to the letter. They ran a marathon with the bat, playing over 150 overs in the first innings, and then even with some deterioration, worked hard for 78.3 overs in the second innings. That is, over 220 overs of batting. India kept trying to break down walls with their heads. There is bravery and then there is recklessness masquerading as intent. To compare both sides with the bat, barring one batter, each and every South African that took the crease, crossed the double digits in the first innings. And this was missing from the Indian middle order totally, barring the resistance of 208 balls shown by Sundar and Kuldeep. If your number 9 batter plays the most number of balls, 134 to be exact, by Kuldeep, then sure, questions will be raised on the approach on a surface which was not THAT difficult to bat on.

8:16 AM IST Poor shot selection has been the recurring theme right from the first innings, and it plagued them in the second innings as well. Apart from Jaiswal and Rahul, who fell to proper deliveries that deserved wickets in the first batting stint, everything else was a self-inflicted wound. Over 34.3, Sai Sudharsan threw it away to an absolute gimme ball. An over later, Dhruv Jurel gifts his wicket with a rash hack. Then came the real gut punch in over 37.2 when Rishabh Pant tried launching one over the lanky Jansen and only managed a thick edge through to the keeper. Boom. The collapse was complete. From a comfortable 95/1 to a disastrous 122/7. As they say, Rome was not destroyed in a day, but it burned in one night. India managed the batting equivalent in just a few overs.

8:11 AM IST Simon Harmer is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for picking up 17 wickets across two Tests. He starts by saying that it has been a long journey on the road. Highlights that he came back to India after 10 years and will leave the place with fond memories compared to the last time. Shares that he closely watched the way the ball was behaving after 40 overs when India came to bat in the second innings. Details that when the ball got a bit softer, it got a bit easier to bat. But also points out that there was an odd-ball on which Pant got out which bounced and turned. Says that they knew India would bat for their lives in the second innings but also tells that it was all about bowling in the right areas. Appreciates Markram and Jansen for taking sharp catches in the field. On the switch of ends, he shares that when he was bowling from that end, it felt like a left-hander's wicket. Also tells that the best way to operate was to bowl stump-to-stump. Then adds that it started to spin with the older ball and credits Temba Bavuma for that tactic. Calls Keshav Maharaj an incredible bowler and that he deserves to be called as the number 1 spinner. Says that he is happy to play the supporting role to Keshav. Ends by saying that it is all about evolving with time. Shares that he will head to another County Season for Essex and will play a few games for Titans back home as they don't play any Tests until next September.

8:01 AM IST Well then, another box ticked for South Africa. Another win the subcontinent. It is that man, Temba Bavuma, under whose leadership they have achieved these wins, which is no small feat. He now collects the Freedom Trophy and walks towards his teammates who wait for their captain behind the champions' board for the commemorative photographs. Truly, a moment to savour for the Rainbow Nation. They have a long break from red-ball cricket now as they will directly host a 3-match Test series against Australia, at home, in September next year.

7:59 AM IST And now, the victorious South African captain, Temba Bavuma, is the one for a chat. He says that it is a massive win for them. Adds that after being out of the game for a while due to injury, you want to be part of things like this. Mentions that it is not every day that you can come to India and win 2-0, but the fact they have players who have been on the other side of the result and seen the dark days helps them a lot as well. Says that everyone in the team wants to contribute, even from the bench, the likes of Muthusamy and others have done well for them. Tells that communication is key to their success, and they may not have players who can score 100-150, but they have 3 or 4 players who can score those 60s and that shows how everyone wants to chip in. Further adds that Simon Harmer complements Maharaj very well. Mentions that Maharaj has been their guy in recent times, but it was Harmer who was excellent in this series and in the absence of KG, Jansen and Mulder also stepped up big time. Ends by saying that he can keep on going about his team but they are in a good space at the moment.