Indomitable at home, India’s batsmen capitulated in the face of South Africa’s menacing pace attack and sensational fielding to suffer a 135-run drubbing in the second Test on Wednesday, ending a nine-series unbeaten run for Virat Kohli’s world No.1 side.
After the 72-run loss in the opening Test, the margin got bigger in Centurion as the visitors handed the home side a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Rohit Sharma’s 47 was the lone noteworthy contribution in a chase of 287, which was a tall ask from the very beginning given the unpredictable bounce of the pitch.
The Indians folded for 151 in 50.2 overs, never really offering a fight.
Debutant Lungi Ngidi was the newest fast bowling nemesis that India discovered as he took six wickets for a mere 39 runs in 12.2 overs. He collected the man of the match award for his phenomenal debut show, which also included the prized wicket of Kohli in the second innings.
The reaction on social media was one of disappointment, predominantly directed at India’s batting.
Bowling stood up. Batting-fielding didn’t. Opportunity lost. #SAvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 17, 2018
It's been that kind of a series, India have been in the game 75 per cent of the Test, but the final score has looked like a rout. This innings far more disappointing than Cape Town
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 17, 2018
No easy fixes for India really. Kohli - 191 runs. Vijay+Dhawan+Rahul+Pujara+Rohit = 242 runs. Dismal doesn't even begin to describe it. #SAvIND
— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) January 17, 2018
Too stunned by this loss... on THIS pitch. The captain needs to answer a few questions in earnest and not the go-around way. #SAvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 17, 2018
This was definitely our best chance to win a Test series in SA and tue squad was as good as it can get.
— Samreen (@SamreenRazzaqui) January 17, 2018
But bizarre team selections, below par batting performance, fielding was a let down. So how do we expect to win these matches when primary, basic stuff was wrong? #SAvIND
India in this series:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 17, 2018
1-5 wickets - 381 runs; 1 fifty stand
6-10 wickets - 421 runs; 3 fifty stands#SAvIND
A much anticipated series and it ends in an easy win for South Africa. I thought this was India's best chance but how wrong that was!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2018
#SAvIND series exposed Hardik Pandya as a allrounder, Rohit Sharna as a test batsman and Ravi Shastri as a coach.
— Kuptaan🇮🇳 (@Kuptaan) January 17, 2018
Ngidi’s performance came in for a lot of praise...
What a wonderful and hugely impressive debut for Lungi Ngidi
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2018
Lungisani Ngidi confirming what we already knew, real deal🤙🤙
— Mluleki Ntsabo® (@ntsabomluleki) January 17, 2018
But, as always, fans resorted to humour to ease the pain of defeat.
Indian Team right now:#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Labhx9mWpu
— LolmLol (@LOLiyapa) January 17, 2018
Well, this didn't work. #SAVIND pic.twitter.com/IX5Noj4AEl
— cricBC (@cricBC) January 17, 2018
You would have to say Aust did better in India last year than India have done in SAf this year #SAvIND
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) January 17, 2018
Indian Team heading towards Airport. *Sigh*#INDvSA #SAvInd pic.twitter.com/dFXb1zNbtk
— The Viral Fever (@TheViralFever) January 17, 2018
Can't win in bouncy & fast Cape Town and Can't win in slow & spinning Centurion (pitch requested by India).
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) January 17, 2018
'Sothulayum adi waangiyachi, Sethulayum adi waangiyachi' #SAvIND @Inthiqab93 pic.twitter.com/laocL4EOhj
Oh naadaan parinde, ghar aa jao. #SAvIND
— Jamie Alter (@jamie_alterTOI) January 17, 2018
Best way for Pakistan and Indian fans to enjoy Cricket is to watch matches of each other team not "Apni" team :P #NazvPak #SAvIND
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) January 17, 2018
India has enough cricketers which make 5 playing 11's, @BCCI should make atleast 2 Teams, one for Home and other for Away, taaki duniya ke bhare bazar mein ijjat ka faalooda na ho. #okbye
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) January 17, 2018
But, this. This sums it up.
Hisaab 25 saal ka lol.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) January 17, 2018