India registered their biggest Test victory over South Africa five years back on this day (October 13) in Pune. With the Proteas batting unit suffering a collapse, the hosts won the match by an innings and 137 runs. Virat Kohli, who was playing his 50th Test as the Indian captain, struck a brilliant double hundred in the first innings.
Mayank Agarwal also enjoyed a good outing with the bat and scored a commendable century to give his team a perfect start. India declared their innings after producing 601 runs at a loss of five wickets.
In response, South Africa managed only 275 runs and was asked to follow on. Their second innings concluded at 189 on Day 4.
India had already taken the lead in the three-match series after securing a comprehensive 203-run win in the opening Test. Virat Kohli and Co were desperate to wrap up the bilateral assignment on a triumphant note to retain their place at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
The Indian captain won the toss in Pune and chose to bat first.
Rohit Sharma who struck a twin century in the series opener failed to replicate his form in the second Test. Following his early dismissal, Cheteshwar Pujara walked into the crease and went on to score a gritty 58 off 112 balls. He stitched a 138-run partnership with Mayank Agarwal, who contributed 108 runs.
After the duo returned to the hut, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane took over the charge. The skipper hit 33 boundaries and two sixes during his unbeaten knock of 254 runs.
Rahane, on the other hand, added 59 runs to the mammoth score. Ravindra Jadeja also appeared in sublime form but missed the century by just nine runs.
Umesh Yadav ripped through the South African top order and picked three early wickets. Another fast bowler, Mohammed Shami also shone on the occasion and took the crucial wickets of Temba Bavuma and Anrich Nortje.
Faf du Plessis and Keshav Maharaj were the standout batters for South Africa in their first innings.
The Proteas captain scored 64 while Maharaj contributed 72 runs down the order. Among the Indian spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin fetched four wickets and Jadeja scalped one.
Coming to follow on, South African opener Aiden Markram was dismissed for a duck. Dean Elgar managed to survive 72 deliveries and registered 48 runs. Among the other Proteas batters, only Bavuma and Senuran Philander could have breached the 30-run mark.
This time, Jadeja and Yadav emerged as the top-performing bowlers for India and took a three-wicket haul each. Kohli was named the Player of the Match for his match-defining double-century in the first innings.
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