IND vs SA: Who said what after the second test in Guwahati

Marco Jansen won Player of the Match in the second IND vs SA test in Guwahati.

The thrilling second test between Indian Cricket Team and South Africa Cricket Team concluded on Wednesday, November 26 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The Temba Bavuma & Co. outplayed the hosts by 408 runs to grab a massive victory in the clash and seal the series by a margin of 2-0.

India captain Shubman Gill was ruled out of the clash after sustaining a neck injury in the previous game with Rishabh Pant captaining the hosts in the encounter. However, he didn’t have a start as he would have hoped for, losing the toss in his first-ever game as test skipper.

South Africa, who opted to bat first, struggled at the start by reaching 247/6 on day 1. However, with a century by Senuran Muthusamy (109) and a half-century by Marco Jansen (93), they finished with 489 runs.

Jansen, with his six wickets, then led South Africa’s bowling attack in the second innings, helping the team to bowl out the hosts for just 201 runs. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj picked three scalps and one wicket respectively to capture a massive 288-run lead for the visitors.

In the second innings, Tristan Stubbs hammered 94 runs while Tony de Zorzi added 49 runs to propel the team’s total to 260/5d. Setting a huge target of 549 runs for India, the Proteas dominated the hosts yet again with ball. With a lone half-century by Ravindra Jadeja, India were bundled out for 140 runs, with Harmer taking a six-wicket haul.

There’s a big shift in our mindsets: Temba Bavuma after winning test series against India

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma gave an insight into the team’s mindset after scripting history in the Guwahati test. He also heaped praise on Simon Harmer, who played a crucial role in the team’s victory in both games.

“It’s massive. For me personally, been out of the game for a couple of months with injury. Not every day you can come to India and walk away with a 2-0 series win. What’s special is we had dark days as a group and it’s a credit to them. There’s a big shift in our mindsets in terms of what we want to do. I think our preparation is something – guys go out there looking to contribute,” he said.

“Simon has the experience of playing here in India in 2015, he complements Keshav quite well. Bit more guile with the ball, it’s a struggle to take the ball out of their hands. Simon was the man for us this series,” he added.

I was nervous in the first test: Marco Jansen after winning Player of the Match in Guwahati test

With his seven wickets including a six-wicket haul in the first innings, Marco Jansen was the star of the match. He also hit 93 runs in the first innings and was awarded Player of the Match. Post the victory, he said winning in India is special. He also revealed that he was nervous while playing in the first game in Kolkata.

“Winning any game is a nice feeling and winning in India is special. It’s a team performance. We spoke about sticking to our own things. If it works it works. Got to give credit to Shuks, he told me to go out and play my game, I was nervous in the first Test. Everyone is working hard, our prep as a team and in an individual capacity. We see where we can get better and on the field we give our best,” he said.

To beat a very good Indian team is a hell of an effort: Simon Harmer after winning Player of the Series award

South Africa spinner Simon Harmer won the Player of the Series award for his spectacular performance in both matches. He picked nine wickets in the Guwahati test, including a six-wicket haul in the second innings. He said that beating India in the clash was a big effort and noted that the hosts put up a big fight with the bat in the second innings.

“Like I said in the last Test, it’s been a long road. 10 years later, completely different feeling. Will leave with a lot more fonder memories from then. To beat a very good Indian team is a hell of an effort. I was just watching our second innings, after 40 overs, the ball got softer and it became easier. But there was the odd-ball, the ball that Rishabh got. Nice to contribute, nice to get wickets and nice to get a fifer in India,” he said.

“I think in the 2nd innings we knew they would bat for their lives, they put hell of a fight. But we knew if we put it in the right areas, things would happen. Sharp catches from Markram in the slips and Jansen as well which helps. When I’m bowling from that end, I felt it was a left-hander’s wicket, Temba asked me to change and a great decision from him and happy to get the wickets,” he added.

Definitely it’s a little disappointing: Rishabh Pant after defeat in Guwahati test

Pant termed a defeat as disappointing and gave credit to South Africa for playing better cricket.

“Definitely it’s a little disappointing, you know, but as a team we need to get better. And you’ve got to give credit to the opposition that they played better cricket than us. Because, you know, in a series like this, which has already been tough if you dwell too much, you’ve got to take the learning and stick as a team. Definitely they dominated the series, but at the same time you can’t take cricket for granted,” he said.

“You can play at home or away, but at the same time, you know, cricket demands that determination and that extra. And there are moments in the game where you need to capitalise as a team, as a batting unit. But as a team we didn’t capitalise on those enough for a longer period of time, and that cost us the whole series. (positives from the series) I think the positive will be focusing in our own plan, and we need to be better with that. That’s the only thing we’re going to take from it,” he added.

Meanwhile, South Africa bagged a clean sweep against India in a test series in India for the second time in history. Earlier, they won the first test by 30 runs. Now, both sides will clash in three ODI games, starting on November 30 with the first encounter in Ranchi.

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