South Africa dominated the first test against India, clinching victory by an innings and 32 runs within three days and maintaining their formidable home record against the tourists. The Indian batting lineup succumbed to the relentless South African attack, managing only 131 runs in their second innings, while South Africa had earlier posted a score of 408, securing a commanding 163-run first-innings lead at Centurion.
In a remarkable collapse, only Virat Kohli showed resilience for India, facing a formidable challenge as debutant Nandre Burger claimed four wickets, Marco Jansen secured three, and Kagiso Rabada took two. The series, consisting of only two tests, ensures that South Africa cannot lose, making them the only country where India has yet to win an away series.
The bowling performance from South Africa was devastating, evident 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 Rabada. However, Rabada quickly made amends by dismissing India’s captain Rohit Sharma in his next over, and Jaiswal departed for five after gloving a searing delivery from Burger.
Although Shubman Gill briefly resisted with a score of 26 off 37 balls, he was bowled by Jansen, leaving India reeling at 62-3 at tea. Kohli remained a sturdy presence, but wickets continued to fall in the last session. Shreyas Iyer was bowled by Jansen for six, and Burger claimed two wickets in as many balls. KL Rahul, who scored a century in the first innings, was dismissed for four as he edged to Markram, and Ravichandran Ashwin was caught next ball, hitting the ball to gully.