South Africa won by an Innings and 90 Runs!

South Africa beat India in the 2nd test of the three match series by an innings and 90 runs. The match was completed in just less than 3 days of play. India meekly surrendered in the first innings for mere 76 and in the 2nd innings were all out for 328 runs.

In the South African 1st innings, de Villiers scored a beautiful double century and Kallis a wonderful 132 which gave South Afrian a very big lead.

It's also India's first innings defeat since the 2001 Colombo (SSC) Test against Sri Lanka.

de Villiers wasd declared man of the match for his unbeaten 217.

South Africa delcared their innings at the end of the second day, but they announced it in the morning at 494 for 7. The overnight rain should have given Smith a thought that it may rain in future and would have triggered the decison to declare.

Started the 2nd innings with a deficit of 418, either had to play out the 3 days with 270 overs or score 418 at least to make South African bat again. The chances of India recovering one more time like they did with Australia. But, that required few top guns to play a marathon innings like Dravid and Laxman.

How did we depend on Shewaga? He is not a consistent player in test cricket though he is a dashing player. But, does not play any sensible cricket and play according to the situation.

Shewag was the first to go, leg before wicket for 17 off Nitni. Dravid was trying to push the ball which was in the chest height went straight to slips off Morkel. He was out for 17.

It was crucial for Jaffer to prove his credibility, but not able to play an important innings. He had all the time in the world to play his innings, but trying to drive the ball pitched up to him, edged it to slips.

Though Laxman and Ganguly tried to build the innings with first 50 runs partnership in this test for India, Laxman played at the ball pitched away from the off stump, which edged to wicket keeper. The key batsman was out for 35.

It was left to Ganguly and Dhoni to bring back the pride to India, the last recognized pair of batsmen. Gaungly crossed his fifty, focussing every ball and had a tough time in the crease.

He crossed his 50 in 86 balls with 5 fours. He was declared caught behind though the decision was not a good one. The partnership between Dhoni and Ganguly was the first 100 run partership of the Indian innings. He was out for 87 off 149 balls with 8 fours.

Dhoni, who also scored fifty, which had no value in this innings because it did not help India save the game. He scored his 50 off 122 balls with 5 fours. I think he has some attitude issue in playing the test matches, especially in other's captaincy. His attitude during keeping the wickets, collecting balls from the fielders, the way he batted in Chennai, all leading to the doubt whether he is capable of playing test match cricket.

Pathan, as usual, an upcoming all rounder was alone in the crease fighting the losing battle. He was not out on 43 when the remaining batsman fell cheaply--Kumble bowled by Harris for 5, Harbhajan, once again leg before for Steyn, RP Singh caught at slips of Steyn and Sreesanth bowled by Nitni for 17. RP Singh was hit on the helmet by Steyn and the next ball went at shoulder level which he edged to slips.

Sreesanth hit a six of Steyn, stepping out and hitting a baseball shot over mid wicket, but that didn't have any value as far as saving the match is concerned.

For South Africa, Steyn and Nitni picked 3 wickets each, Morkel 2, Kallis and Harris one each.

During the post match presentation, Kumble said: "It was difficult to come back after getting bowled out for 76. They took the game away from us. We have been in this situation before. I thought the effort from our bowlers was 100%. We will bounce back."

Graeme Smith: "This was the perfect Test match for us. We dominated from the start. It was hard work for the bowlers today on a heavy outfield. It's been fantastic for AB and Kallis. The guys know we've got one more game to go. They've been focussed throughout the series."

de villiers is the Man of the Match: "I'm just over the moon. Having Kallis around was a good calming effect, especially when I was in the 90s. I enjoyed playing here, and the Ahmedabad fans have been great. Just the perfect Test for us."

Complete Score:

Match: 2nd Test, India v. South Africa
Venue: Ahmedabad (India)
Captains: Kumble (India), Smith (South Africa)
Toss: India and decided to bat
Result: South Africa won by an innings and 90 runs
Man of the Match: de Villiers

Score:
India 1st Innings 76 all out in 20 overs (Steyn 5 for 23, Nitni 3 for 18, Morkel 2 for 20)
South Africa 1st Innings 494 for 7 declared in 141.2 overs (Smith 34, McKenzie 42, Kallis 132, de Villiers 217 not out, Sreesanth 2 for 87, Harbhajan Singh 4 for 135)
India 2nd Innings 328 all out in 94.2 overs (VVS Laxman 35, Ganguly 87, Dhoni 52, Pathan 43 not out, Steyn 3 for 91, Nitni 3 for 44, Morkel 2 for 87)