Faf du Plessis hails Virat Kohli and admits South Africa lacked "mental toughness" in India defeat

The Proteas offered wafer-thin resistance on day five of the second Test as they slumped to defeat by an innings and 137 runs in Pune

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes his side lacked the mental fortitude to compete with India after slipping to a series defeat in Pune.

The tourists were dismissed for just 189 second time around as India clinched victory by an innings and 137 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Central to The Proteas' downfall was their lack of top-order runs. After India declared on 601 for 5, just one of the top four reached double figures in either innings, with opener Aiden Markram recording a pair.

"We know in the subcontinent your first innings is really important," admitted Du Plessis. "The runs you put on the board gives you a chance. 

"But the way India batted, especially Virat with 250, it takes a lot of mental toughness. 

"Two days in the field can wear you down. Especially that second evening, the batsmen were a bit weak in the mindset. 

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"From then it's playing catch-up. We were found wanting in this Test match."

Victory, which secured a record-breaking 11th straight home series win for India, was underpinned by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 254 as he cemented his status as one of the best batsmen in the world.

South Africa were at a loss over how to dismiss the skipper, with the bowling battery which included Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada having no answer.

"As a captain you try and think of ways how you can change fields and bowlers, but all the questions we threw at him, he had answers for," admitted Du Plessis.

"He (Kohli) was too good. The hunger stood out, it was great value for us as batters. He wasn't satisfied with 100, 150."