India beat South Africa by 113 runs in the first Test at Centurion to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. This is India’s first win at the venue considered to be the fortress of South African cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin took two wickets in two balls to end the Proteas’ second innings immediately after lunch, though the game was always India’s to lose.
The target of 305 on a track with a lot of uneven bounce was always out of question for a South African unit that is low on quality and the script unfolded as expected.
Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul in the first innings and K.L. Rahul’s century put India in control by the third day of the Test after the second day was washed out. A mighty 18 wickets fell on day three as even the Indian batting lineup collapsed.
The #WTC23 standings after India’s win in the first #SAvIND Test 👀 pic.twitter.com/rNyK8GKRgs
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2021
Rahul was adjudged man of the match.
The pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj tormented the South African batsmen the same way the home side’s pacers made use of the uneven bounce and seam movement.
On the final day, India needed six wickets to win, but a stubborn Dean Elgar made it difficult for the visitors. Eventually, the breakthrough came when Bumrah caught the South African captain leg before, as he ended his innings with a fighting 77.
Shami finishes the match with eight wickets to end his 2021 on a high as Bumrah took three in the final innings as well. Siraj and Ashwin nabbed a couple of wickets too.
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For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada shone with the ball in both innings, but the batsmen came a cropper.
It was pity to see South Africa, that boasted of some great names of the yore, couldn't even post 200 runs in the both the innings with skipper Dean Elgar's 77 off 156 balls not exactly being a saving grace.
Quinton de Kock will be missing from the line-up from the next Test as he will be on paternity leave and it will certainly make it easier for India to claim their first series win in South Africa since they first toured here in 1992.
The win also makes India the first Asian side to win in Centurion.
Brief scores: India: 327 and 174; South Africa 197 and 191 (Dean Elgar 77; Jasprit Bumrah 3/50, Mohammed Shami 3/63)
- With inputs from PTI
