Proteas pacemen praised

Makhaya Ntini © Getty Images

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South Africa captain Graeme Smith praised his bowlers, in particular Makhaya Ntini, for the way they dominated India to secure an innings victory in the second Test on Saturday.

Ntini took six wickets, including 3-44 in the second innings, as the Proteas bowled out India for 328 to win by an innings and 90 runs.

"Makhaya has been outstanding throughout this series," a delighted Smith said.

"He produced a critical spell (in the first Test) at Chennai when he got rid of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar and got us back into the game.

"And, again here in the second Test, he got the all-important wicket at the start in both innings.

"He then came back on Sunday to get the key wicket of (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni when they were making a fight of things and he then finished off the match perfectly for us."

South Africa's tour of the subcontinent is the first since the retirement of renowned all-rounder Shaun Pollock, but Smith believes Ntini is a capable replacement to spearhead the attack.

"Now that Polly (Shaun Pollock) has retired, Makhaya has taken over the role of being the senior player and the leader of the attack," Smith said.

"This has been particularly important as his fast bowling colleagues are far younger and less experienced than he is.

"Dale (Steyn) has had a fabulous year so far but he needs the leadership that Makhaya is providing."

Dale Steyn removes Sri Sreesanth © Getty Images

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Steyn took eight wickets in the match, including 5-23 in the first innings, allowing batsman AB de Villiers to score the first double-hundred by a South African against India.

"It was the perfect Test match," Smith added. "We were in control from the very first ball and the guys never let up for a moment.

"I am very proud of everybody. It was a true team effort."

Smith believes how India go about replacing the injured Sachin Tendulkar will be a key factor in the third Test.

The 34-year-old batsman will miss the Kanpur encounter with the groin problem which kept him out of the second Test defeat to the Proteas in Ahmedabad.

"The fact that people ask the question itself shows what a big loss it is for the Indian team," Smith responded when asked to gauge the impact of Tendulkar's absence.

"Sachin has got a stature and an aura in this team and is a terrific player. So, it is a massive loss for India and how they replace him is the key."

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the 'Little Master' would not be fit for the third Test.

He said: "Sachin is making good progress in his recovery, but he has not recovered sufficiently to be available for the third Test.

"Sachin has a rehabilitation programme to continue with and will be monitored closely."

The final test begins at Kanpur on Friday, and a South Africa series win would leapfrog them above India and Sri Lanka to second in the ICC Test Rankings.