India Beat South Africa By 113 Runs In 1st Test, Lead Three-Match Series 1-0

India defeated South Africa by 113 runs in the first test match at Centurion and have taken a lead of 1-0 in the three-match series.

By Sahil Mathur
Dec 30, 2021 • 04:44 PM

Cricket Image for India Beat South Africa By 113 Runs In 1st Test, Lead Three-Match Series 1-0 (Image Source: AFP)

India defeated South Africa by 113 runs in the first test match at Centurion and have taken a lead of 1-0 in the three-match series.

The game ended pretty quickly after South Africa fought well to keep themselves interested in the 305-run chase in the first session of day five despite losing Dean Elgar for 77. Temba Bavuma kept South Africa in hunt and remained on 35.

India's bowling was led by Mohammad Shami, who took eight wickets in the match - a fifer and three wickets in each inning. Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets, three in the second innings including that of Elgar.

Mohammad Siraj took three wickets in the match, Shardul only bowled five overs in the second innings but in the first innings, he provided two crucial breakthroughs. R Ashwin had a rather silent game but he wrapped up the South African innings with back-to-back wickets to finish the game after just 10 minutes after lunch on day 5.

With this win, India has registered its fourth win on the South African soil and breached the fortress Centurion as well to become the first Asian team to beat the hosts at this ground and only the third after England and Australia.

The match was dominated by India from the start after Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat first. KL Rahul struck his seventh test century as India scored 327 in the first innings. For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi took a six-fer while Kagiso Rabada picked three wickets.

Led by Shami's fifer in the first innings, South Africa were bowled out for 197, Temba Bavuma being the top-scorer with 52.
India added 174 runs to its lead of 130 before being bowled out. Rabada and debutant Marco Jansen took four wickets each in the Indian innings.

With this win, India finish the year 2021 on a high.