India vs South Africa: Virat Kohli & Co's nine-series unbeaten Test run ends in Centurion

Photo: BCCI

Almost unbeatable at home, India's batting caved in once again on Wednesday facing a daunting South African pace attack to suffer an embarrassing 135-run defeat in the second Test at Centurion, which ended 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 here as the visitors handed the home side a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

It is also the first series loss for India under Virat Kohli's captaincy in any format, when he has captained the side in a whole series.

Before this defeat, India's nine successive Test series wins came against Sri Lanka and South Africa in 2015; West Indies, New Zealand and England in 2016; and Bangladesh, Australia and Sri Lanka (2) in 2017.

The debacle is Kohli's first as full-time captain even though he did well with the bat in this match, scoring 153 in the first innings.

Rohit Sharma's 47 was the lone noteworthy contribution in a chase of 287, which was a tall ask from the beginning given the unpredictable bounce of the pitch. The Indians folded for 151 in 50.2 overs, never really offering a fight.

It was a revenge of sorts for Faf du Plessis's side, which had been blanked 3-0 by hosts India in 2015.

(With PTI inputs)