New Delhi: Team India suffered a humiliating defeat against South Africa in Centurion, losing the first Test match by an innings and 32 runs.
The Test match between India and South Africa ended even before the end of Day 3 as the Men in Blue collapsed while chasing South Africa’s lead of 163 runs. Proteas had posted a total of 408 runs in the first innings.
In second innings, none of the Indian batter could score a respectable total and made a meek surrender before the Proteas. Rohit Sharma got out for duck while others from the top order were sent packing without scoring runs in double digits.
The humiliating debacle for Team India came on back of poor performance by top batters. All the leading batsmen including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Aiyar failed to hold fort, resulting in shameful loss in the first test match.
That’s that from the Test at Centurion.
South Africa win by an innings and 32 runs, lead the series 1-0.
Scorecard – https://t.co/032B8Fmvt4 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Sd7hJSxqGK
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 28, 2023
As it happened
After the start of day one was delayed due to rain, the toss coin decided to side with South African captain, who decided to bowl first.
The South African pace battery outclassed Indian batsmen, as India lost their first four wickets inside the 100 runs mark.
KL Rahul (101), was the only Indian batsman who put up a fight and scored a fighting century to take India’s first innings total to 245.
Amazing Century at Centurion! 🫡#KLRahul, TAKE A BOW!#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/En9kT6NUn6
— Virat Kohli 🍥 (@imVKohji) December 27, 2023
Kagiso Rabada was the star for South Africa bowling unit in the first innings with an impressive spell of 5 for 59.
5 Fifer for Rabada what a bowling pic.twitter.com/2eCkbJzVZz
— Asif Athwal17🇵🇰🇲🇾 (@ItsAsif_Bashir) December 27, 2023
South Africa on the other hand, with the help of Dean Elgar (185), David Bedingham (56), and Marco Jansen (84), posted the huge total of 408 on the board, taking a lead of 163 runs in the first innings.
After a great World Cup with the ball, #MarcoJanses showed his prowess with the bat, helping #SouthAfrica stretch their lead to 163.
How will #TeamIndia respond with the bat?
Tune-in to #SAvIND 1st Test,
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/zd6wc4BOhg— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 28, 2023
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s best bowler in the first innings with an impressive spell of 4 for 69.
BIG WICKET!#JaspritBumrah breaks a stubborn 93-run stand to get the prized wicket of #TonyDeZorzi.
A much-needed wicket for #TeamIndia.Tune in to #SAvIND 1st Test
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/IY3LVS80Ov— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2023
India, in the second innings, looked completely shells shocked as except for Virat Kohli (76) and Shubman Gill (26), no Indian batsmen even touched the double-digit mark, as the whole Indian innings was packed up at just 131, giving the Proteas an innings and 32 runs victory.
What a way to get off the mark! 😍
The King #ViratKohli sends the ball straight down the ground for a beautiful 4️⃣
Tune in to #SAvIND 1st Test
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/DjTg9Ls6Eo— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 28, 2023
The debutant Nandre Burger, was South Africa second innings hero with an impressive spell of 4 for 33.
RAW EMOTION 😤
Nandre Burger with another wicket to his name. Siraj is sent packing after he tickled one to Verreynne 1☝
🇮🇳 India are 121/9 after 31.5 overs
One more wicket to GO! #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/FjIIhFQd3S
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 28, 2023
With this loss, India’s dream of winning first test series in the Rainbow Nation came to a halt, as the visitors now need to win the second test match in order to draw the series.
Dean Elgar was named the man of the match for his incredible innings of 185.
