South Africa inflicted India's heaviest Test defeat in eight years, beating the hosts by an innings and 90 runs in the second Test to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The touring side declared its first innings at the overnight score of 494-7 and then bowled out India — which posted a dismal 76 in its first innings — for 328 in its second to win inside three days. "It was difficult to bounce back after getting bowled out for 76, that took the game away from us," Anil Kumble, the India captain, said.

It was India's biggest defeat since losing to Australia by an innings and 141 runs in 2000, and its first loss inside three days since a defeat by New Zealand in 2002. Usually a tough Test opponent on its own turf, this was India's biggest loss at home in 49 years. Australia, led by Richie Benaud, beat India by an innings and 127 runs in 1959.

South Africa staked its claim to being the second-best Test nation in the world behind Australia by recording an innings victory for the third time in 2008. "This was the perfect test match for us, dominating from the start to end," Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, said. "We performed according to our game plan."

A.B. De Villiers, who scored a career-best 217 not out, was man of the match. His record partnership with Jacques Kallis cut out all escape routes for India after its first innings collapse. De Villiers credited Kallis with helping him through some tense moments. "Kallis was a calming effect, especially when I was close to my first century against India," De Villiers said.

Smith hailed the pace trio that set up the victory. "This is a big transition for Ntini to become a team leader," he said. "Steyn and Morne Morkel are still young and Ntini has shown good leadership."

South Africa's declaration on Saturday came after umpires inspected the ground and decided to delay the start of play for half an hour, allowing the ground to dry after heavy rain on Friday forced an early finish. Upon the late resumption, South Africa's pace bowlers continued to torment India's top-order, reducing it to 125-4 as Virender Sehwag (17) hit two sixes in the first over before departing, followed by Rahul Dravid (17), Wasim Jaffer (19) and V.V.S. Laxman (35).

There was some resistance in the fifth-wicket partnership of 110 between Sourav Ganguly (87) and Mahendra Dhoni (52). Ganguly seemed on course for his 16th test century when he was adjudged caught behind shaping for a cut against Steyn. Ganguly seemed surprised when umpire Tony Hill ruled him caught behind, with television replays suggesting the noise came from his bat hitting the pitch.

Dhoni (52) went on to complete his fifty before giving Smith a low catch at first slip off Ntini, and the departure of its last recognized batsman condemned India to certain defeat. Irfan Pathan hit an unbeaten 43, but got little support as Steyn removed lower order batsmen Harbhajan Singh (4) and Rudra Pratap Singh (8) before Ntini clean bowled Shantakumaran Sreesanth (17) to seal the victory.

The third Test starts in Kanpur on Friday.