Team India succumbed to an embarrassing innings and 32-run defeat in the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion on Thursday (December 28).
At the close of play on Day 2, the Proteas had 256/5 on the board in reply to India’s first innings total of 245, courtesy of opener Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 140.
On the third day, the hosts batted rather aggressively and took their first innings total to 408/10, stretching the lead to a massive 163 runs. While Elgar added 45 more runs to the overnight tally, Marco Jansen played a stunning knock of 84.
In the second innings, the Indian batting line-up fell like a pack of cards. The visitors got bowled out for a paltry 131 in 34.1 overs to lose the match inside three days.
It was an abysmal batting display as only two batters managed to reach double figures. Virat Kohli waged a lone battle with the bat for India, scoring 76 off 82 balls. He was the last man to be dismissed in India’s innings.
For South Africa, debutant Nandre Burger claimed four wickets while Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada shared five scalps between them.
Cricket fraternity lauded South Africa for their dominance and was critical of India’s performance in the Boxing Day Test.
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