Durban: India crashed to a humiliating 10-wicket defeat in the second Test after their young batsmen surrendered meekly to give South Africa a 1-0 series triumph in Jacques Kallis’ farewell match here on Monday.
Needing to bat out the entire fifth day at Kingsmead to force a draw, the Indians had the worst possible start by losing Virat Kohli off the very first ball and never really recovered from the jolt and were bundled out for 223.
Ajinkya Rahane stood bravely amidst the ruins with a gutsy 96 and was the last man out. India were pegged back after losing five wickets in the morning session.
Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson (4/74) was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with a four-wicket haul while pacemen Dale Steyn (3/47) and Vernon Philander (3/43) scalped three batsmen each.
South Africa then chased down the small 58-run target in 11.4 overs overs as skipper Graeme Smith (27) hit a six and a four off Rohit Sharma to record their first win at Kingsmead. Alviro Petersen remained unbeaten on 31.
The victory was a befitting farewell gift to their retiring hero Kallis, who himself had a memorable match by cracking his 45th Test hundred.
Smith’s cover drive to the fence triggered off celebrations in the home camp with the players hugging each other and shaking hands while the spectators also cheered the team.
For the Indians, it turned out to be a heart-breaking end to the tour, having been drubbed in the one-day series as well. The loss was all the more disappointing since the team had fought gallantly in the thrilling drawn Test in Johannesburg.
It is the fifth time that India have lost a Test series on South African soil, managing a 1-1 draw only once in 2010-11. India have never won a series in South Africa and now have lost nine of the last 10 overseas Tests.
‘Irreplaceable Kallis’
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said that the series-clinching win was a fitting tribute to “irreplaceable” team mate Kallis.
“We wanted to win it for Jacques. Ultimately, we wanted to make sure that his farewell is a fitting tribute to him. The pitch made it a little difficult, and certainly we had to work hard, considering that we lost so much time in the Test,” Smith said at the post-match press conference.
“I think we are never going to replace Jacques. He’s worth more than 13,000 runs, nearly 300 wickets and 200 catches. He’s a top class personality and the experience he brings to the side is irreplaceable. The way forward is to get tactically smart in the next Test match,” said the Proteas captain.
“I think anyone who gets picked up for the next Test shouldn’t feel the pressure, and it’s an opportunity for someone else to start a career. Kallis’ career is huge, and it’s important that the next guy gets a fresh start,” he added.
Indian skipper MS Dhoni blamed losing too many wickets in the morning session and some poor umpiring decisions for the defeat.
“In the morning session today, we lost too many wickets. There were a few decisions that didn’t go our way and then there were a couple deliveries that were good. At the same time, we also had soft dismissals which we couldn’t afford,” Dhoni said.
One of the decisions he may have been referring to was the dismissal of Kohli, who played at, but did not seem to make contact with, the ball, but was given out caught by umpire Rod Tucker. (PTI)
