New Delhi: Indian batsmen fell like pins to hand South Africa a 135- run win on Day 5 of the second Test match at Centurion and with that they have lost the three-match series 0-2 with one Test to go at Johannesburg.
India were bowled out for 151, losing their last seven wickets for 116 runs. This defeat also ended India’s 9-series long unbeaten streak.
If there was any hope of a miracle, it all went up in smoke very early on the fifth morning with a suicidal run-out of Cheteshwar Pujara, who became the only Indian batsman to get run out on both innings of a Test match.
Parthiv dabbed a rising Philander delivery past Gully. Cheteshwar Pujara turned what seemed a comfortable three, into a complete mess. His case was not helped by the fact that AB de Villiers was chasing the ball.
Rohit Sharma kept Indian hopes alive with a gutsy 47-run knock but the wickets kept tumbling on the other end and eventually gifted his wicket to Rabada.
Playing at his home ground,Debutant Lungi Ngidi returned with impressive figures of 6/39 for the host while Rabada struck thrice in the second innings to give them an unassailable 2-0 lead.
These two teams will travel to Johhanesburg for the third and the final Test match which is scheduled on 24 January and the host would be aiminig to inflict a whitewash.