Team India maintain the top spot on the ICC World Test Championship points table as they mauled South Africa by an innings and 137 runs in the Pune Test. At the same time, the hosts set a World Record of most number of consecutive Test series victories at home.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli stole the show with his record 7th Test double ton that propelled India to a hefty 601-run total in the first innings. In reply, South Africa could only manage 275 runs and were asked to follow-on. Failing to make the most of the second chance, the Proteas were skittled out for 189.

After the match, the Indian skipper showered praises on the unit and described how the players have developed the hunger and passion to win the games.

“When we started off as a group we were at No.7 (on the World Test Championship points table). The only way was up. We laid down a few things, told everyone to work hard at practice. We are lucky to have the group of players we have in the last three-four years. It’s amazing to see that hunger and passion for all the guys to keep improving,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation.

Kohli also appreciated the way Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichandran Ashwin made effective comebacks in the Test setup.

“Saha was back to his best, coming into Vizag you could see he was nervous. Ashwin has stepped up beautifully and it's guys willing to work hard on those one or two per cent things for the team. It's been nice and looking at the larger picture - the Test Championship, every game has even more value. We are not going to take the foot off the gas in the third Test. We are looking for a result and hopefully make it 3-0. No-one's going to relax at any stage, that is a guarantee,” he said.

The third and final test of the series will be played at Ranchi from Saturday.