India blow away South Africa to regain the Freedom Trophy

A dominant display with the ball on Day 4 of the second Test in Pune saw India pip South Africa by an innings and 137 runs to gain an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series.

Following on in their second innings, the visitors were dealt with an early blow when Aiden Markram was sent packing to the hut by Ishant Sharma on the second ball of the day. Theunis de Bruyn and skipper Faf du Plessis too didn't trouble the scorers much before departing for single figures. Barring Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, none of the remaining batsmen in the top seven posed a fight and accounted for cheap returns.

With South Africa reeling at 129-7, Vernon Philander and KeshavMaharaj, who had frustrated the Indians with the bat in their first innings, joined hands once again to delay the formalities. The duo stitched a 56-run-partnership and managed to survive for about 21 overs before Umesh Yadav got rid of Philander. The last two wickets then came in a space of seven deliveries as India registered a handsome victory to clinch the Gandhi-Madela Trophy.

The win also marked India's 11th straight Test series triumph at home, to set a new world record. The previous best was held by Australia, who had notched up 10 consecutive Test series wins in their backyard.

The two teams will next take on each other in the final Test in Ranchi, set to begin on 19 October. While the Indians will be keen on sweeping the series 3-0, the Proteas will be looking to salvage some pride beforegoing home.