India vs South Africa 2018: Five things we learned from the 2nd Test at Centurion

India were battered by South Africa in the second Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion to lose the three-match series 2-0. Lungi Ngidi excelled in his debut Test to bag a six-for as the Proteas sealed the deal by a mammoth 135 runs. With this loss India surrendered the series with a dead-rubber track in Johannesburg awaiting the two sides. South Africa pipped India in every department and won the crucial moments in the game to continue their dominance over the No. 1 Test ranked side at home.

South Africa made 335 runs in their first innings as India replied with a masterclass innings from skipper Virat Kohli to notch 307 in reply. With the 28-run lead, the Proteas then held on to compile a target of 287. Indian players could not stage a fight and eventually folded for 151 runs.

Here are the five things we learned from the impeccable victory at Centurion by South Africa.

1. India’s top three misfire

The side’s opening stand has yielded an average of just 21.25 in two Tests. Also the top three managed to average just 14.6 at Centurion to hurt the team. Shikhar Dhawan’s replacement KL Rahul was dismissed in similar fashion in both innings after offering a catch back to the bowler. Murali Vijay looked good in the first innings but threw it all away after scoring an impressive 46. Moreover the worry for India has been Cheteshwar Pujara’s woes at No. 3 and the two run-outs in this Test must have affected his confidence even further. No foundations atop turned out to be costly for the middle order.

2. Virat, AB continue to deliver for their sides

The Indian skipper smashed a defining 153 and his sensuous cover drives was a trademark of his innings as he went on to score more than half of Indian runs in the first innings. It was a Kohli special that helped India stay alive in the Test. On the other hand AB de Villiers played a solid hand (80) in the 2nd innings to make the difference for the Proteas. He shared a 142-run stand with Dean Elgar and turned out to give his side the edge. Both Kohli & AB showed once again why they are the best in business.

3. Lungi a stellar asset for Proteas

21-year-old debutante Lungi Ngidi was the find of the series at Centurion. He showed no nervy moments and snatched a brilliant six-for to blow the Indians away in the 2nd innings. Ngidi showed what a special talent he is after a stunning 6/39. A star was truly born and it was indeed a great day with all the calmness he endured. His dismissal of Kohli (LBW) during India’s chase was the best moment of Day Four. From there on the hosts were unstoppable.

4. Fielding makes the difference

India dropped Kagiso Rabada twice off successive deliveries in South Africa’s 1st innings and the hosts then went on to add those extra runs. Rabada shared a 42-run stand with Faf du Plessis and that made a huge difference. The score was 290 and 292/7 when Rabada was dropped off Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling. Parthiv Patel also dropped Faf off Ashwin in the 1st innings and these small moments hurt the side. On the contrary the hosts were superb on the field. Morne Morkel, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock pulled off blinders.

5. Indian pacers do their job

The positives to come out for India at Centurion was the quartet of the pacers, bowling their heart out. Ishant Sharma executed his job of holding the bowling well and was rewarded with five wickets in the match. Mohammad Shami grew in confidence and was instrumental in the 2nd innings getting the Proteas’ main batsmen out that included Dean Elgar and AB De Villiers when they were set. Jasprit Bumrah too chipped in with the goods and bowled with pace. They picked 15 wickets between them and the returns will please Kohli.