South Africa produced a commanding display on the final day of the second Test to seal a 2-0 series win in India, a feat they have only achieved once before in 2000, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Chasing an impossible target of 549, India were bowled out for 140, succumbing to relentless pressure from the Proteas’ attack. Simon Harmer dominated with the ball, taking six wickets for just 37 runs in 23 overs, capping a stunning series haul of 17 wickets after his 8-51 in the opener at Eden Gardens. The offspinner’s efforts were perfectly complemented by Aiden Markram, who made history by taking nine catches in the slip cordon, setting a world record for a non-wicketkeeper.
India resumed the day on 27-2, but the innings quickly unravelled as Harmer struck twice in the eighth over, dismissing nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (5) and Dhruv Jurel (2). Yadav was beaten by a straight delivery that rattled the middle stump, while Jurel’s outside edge offered Markram his sixth catch of the series. Rishabh Pant attempted a brief counterattack, launching Keshav Maharaj for a towering six, but he was undone by Harmer’s sharp turn and bounce, offering yet another edge to Markram.
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Despite a few reprieves, including a dropped catch off Kuldeep and a no-ball ruling out Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal, India could not resist the onslaught. Sudharsan’s painstaking 14 from 139 balls ended to a half-volley from Senuran Muthusamy, edged to Markram.
The final blows came with Washington Sundar (16) nicking to slip and Nitish Reddy (0) gloving a reverse sweep to keeper Kyle Verreynne. Ravindra Jadeja battled valiantly for 54, striking two sixes, but was eventually stumped off Maharaj, while Mohammad Siraj’s last swing fell to a sensational one-handed catch by Marco Jansen at long leg.
Jansen, who had earlier scored a quickfire 93 off 91 balls and took 6-48 in the innings, was named player-of-the-match, but Harmer’s match-winning consistency earned him the player-of-the-series award. The 408-run triumph stands as South Africa’s second-largest Test victory by runs, just behind the 492-run demolition of Australia at the Wanderers in 2018 during the infamous Sandpaper series.
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