The third and final test match between India and South Africa gets underway in Ranchi on Saturday, India already have the series win secured and are short price favourites to complete a clean sweep.
After losing the first test in Visakhapatnam by 203 runs the Proteas faced a huge task to keep the series alive in the second contest in Pune. It turned out to be a one sided affair with India coming out on top by an innings and 137 runs.
India batted just once with skipper Kohli's 254 the highlight of their mammoth total of 601/5 declared. Rohit Sharma, who made centuries in both innings at Visakhapatnam, fell cheaply but India then assumed control. Agarwal made 108 at the top of the order to go with the 215 he posted in the first innings of the first test and Jadeja added 91. Rabada (3/93) was the pick of the Proteas bowlers.
In reply South Africa were bowled out for 275. Faf du Plessis made 64 and number 10 bat Keshav Maharaj top scored with 72. Ashwin (4/69) was top Indian bowler.
Following on the Proteas fared no btter. Dean Elgar's 48 was the top score in a total of 189 as India sealed an eleventh consecutive series win on home soil.
This was how the teams lined up at Pune in the second test.
India:
Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav
South Africa:
Vernon Philander, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis (c), Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma, Anrich Nortje, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy
The Betting:
3rd Test Match Winner – click here for all markets
India 4/11
Draw 7/2
South Africa 9/1
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
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The Verdict:
For a betting interest I'll go with Rohit Sharma in the Man of the Match market. Although he failed to fire at Pune he was superb in the first test and I'm happy enough to stick with him at more than twice the price of Kohli.
Bets: Man of the Match Rohit Sharma at 12/1
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