South Africa defeated India in the first Test on Day 4 by 72 runs after rain affected 3rd day’s play. However the most drama in the match came on the 4th day itself, as both teams seemed to self destruct against some very good pace bowling performances.
First South Africa’s second innings was wrapped up by India in a quick manner, as the Proteas lost their last 8 wickets for 65 runs. Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah took 3 wickets each and capped the Proteas lead to 207 runs.
India needed just 208 runs to win and Proteas was missing Dale Steyn due to injury. However, Vernon Philander stepped up to take 6/44, as India collapsed like a stack of cards to lose all their wickets for 135 on board. Only R Ashwin (37) and Virat Kohli (28) saved face with the bat for India, as the swing and seam from South African pacers proved too much for the Indian batsmen to handle.
Twitter was amazed as 18 wickets fell in 64 overs on Day 4 of the Test and India lost a Test that they should have won. The fans and cricket fraternity showed surprise of Twitter, as South Africa went 1-0 up in the 3 match series.
Here are some tweets:
Both sides faltering at different points in the Test but filtering it down, AB-FAF partnership 1st inn, #Philander spell the difference #SAvsIND #FreedomSeries
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) January 8, 2018
Pretty near yet pretty far frm going over the line-Ind lose 1st Test but are far frm disgraced-low scoring matches cn b nerve wracking too!Test Crkt pressures cruelly separate performers frm also rans!Indns needn’t b despondent though-Proteas r truly beatable n their backyard!!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) January 8, 2018
India had a great chance, but needed atleast one of the top 4 to bat long. Philander was exceptional and despite not having Steyn it was too easy for SA. Hope India are able to regroup quickly and bounce back in the next test . #INDvSA
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 8, 2018
Performance by Bhuvi and Philander show that express pace is not the only option. At the end of the day you need skill to turn the match.#INDvSA
— R P Singh (@RpSingh99) January 8, 2018
When India was set 208 to win, I thought they had a 70 % chance of winning. And that had a lot to do because of Virat’s presence as batsman. So basically Philander bowled a match winning ball.#SAvIND
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 8, 2018
Ppl talking abt pace n bounce but this guy #philander not much pace but does the job for his team,that’s what matters.Well done SA for the win N better luck team India in the next game m hoping a come back from boys #IndvsSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 8, 2018
Brilliant from Philander. India can be proud of the way they bowled but was too much for the batsmen. Shows you conditions are king in test cricket
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 8, 2018
Top Skill @VDP_24 ???????? #INDvSA congratulations @OfficialCSA for winning the 1st test.. backing our boys @BCCI to do well in the next ones..
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 8, 2018
