South Africa asserted their dominance in the opening test against India, sealing a comprehensive victory by an innings and 32 runs at Centurion. The home side’s bowling unit, spearheaded by the impressive debutant Nandre Burger, dismantled the Indian batting order, limiting them to a mere 131 runs in the second innings. Amidst the collapse, Virat Kohli stood tall, contributing 76 runs in a valiant effort.
The destructive bowling performance commenced from the first ball of India’s second innings, where a potential wicket was missed when Aiden Markram dropped an edge from Yashasvi Jaiswal off Kagiso Rabada. However, Rabada quickly made amends by dismissing India’s captain Rohit Sharma in the same over. Subsequently, Burger claimed Jaiswal’s wicket, leaving India reeling at 5-2.
Shubman Gill offered a brief resistance, scoring 26 runs, but Marco Jansen dismissed him to leave India struggling at 62-3 during tea. Kohli fought admirably, but wickets continued to tumble in the final session. Jansen removed Shreyas Iyer, and Burger took two wickets in successive balls, including the prized scalp of KL Rahul.
Here are some twitter reactions:
#SouthAfrica win the first Test by an innings and 32 runs, lead the series 1-0 against visiting #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/21MBQcfvcQ
— BN Adhikari (@AdhikariBN) December 29, 2023
Southafrica win the 1st Test against INDIA,
— Balaji Iyengar (@imbalaji007) December 28, 2023
SOUTHAFRICA played Some quality Cricket! pic.twitter.com/l5G25qV1y4
#SouthAfrica take an emphatic win over #TeamIndia at Centurion! ☄️👏🏻
— CRICKET JUNOON ®️ (@Cricktjunoon) December 28, 2023
Congratulations 🥳 South Africa 🇿🇦
#SAvIND #Proteas #BePartOfIt #Bavuma pic.twitter.com/1JuC3JSmFi
Dean Elgar again came in between India and Test Series win against South Africa in their own Backyard.
— Cricket Minister of India (@2_Wickets_Down) December 28, 2023
Pain Continues.#INDvsSA #India #IndianCricketTeam #Cricket #CricketUpdates #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/rVBWhw8msk
India🇮🇳's first test win in #SouthAfrica came in 2006 under Rahul Dravid's captaincy. The fast bowlers produced a fiery opening spell in the 1st innings, bowling them out for just 84 runs & helping #TeamIndia win by 134 runs.#VintageCricket #SAvInd @BCCI @ImZaheer @GCAMotera pic.twitter.com/5ofgO8y4mr
— Parimal Nathwani (@mpparimal) December 27, 2023
It now be clear that win against Southafrica in South Africa in test series is difficult !!
— Cricdox (@cricdox) December 28, 2023
Still happy for a performance of Virat Kohli
Alone warrior of India team 💪🐐#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/ZO8c4KwFfT
Without playing practice matches we are in south Africa to win test series
— Baba Yaga🐦💙 (@ErRavi07) December 29, 2023
Are you comedy me 🤣😂
Well done #rahuldravid 😝#bcci @BCCI #SAvIND #INDvsSA #BreakingNews #BREAKING
"If We Have To Win Test Matches…": Rohit Sharma's Honest Admission After Embarrassing Loss To South Africahttps://t.co/2I5UPSU6pR
— SIS Org (@SamiaTazmimOrin) December 29, 2023
The Indian innings saw a dramatic conclusion with Mohammed Siraj’s dismissal after a South African review, and Kohli’s departure marked the end of a riveting contest. This victory ensures South Africa’s unblemished record against India in Test series at home, making them the sole nation where India has not won an away series. The intensity of the match was mirrored in Kohli’s dismissal, brilliantly caught by Rabada in the deep.
Earlier in the day, South Africa, starting with an 11-run lead at 256-6, saw Dean Elgar extend his score from 140 to 185 in a crucial partnership with Marco Jansen. Their 111-run collaboration for the sixth wicket set the stage for South Africa’s commanding position. Jansen, with an unbeaten 84, achieved his highest test score. The focus now shifts to the second test at Newlands in Cape Town from Jan. 3-7.
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