Indian cricket team created history by becoming the first Asian team to register a Test win at the Centurion venue, when they defeated South Africa by 113 runs in the first of the three Tests on Thursday, December 30, 2021.
Virat Kohli also became the first Indian captain with two Test victories in the rainbow nation and India went up 1-0 in the series with a clinical performance from both the batters and bowlers.
India batted first after Kohli won the toss and KL Rahul (123) and Mayank Agarwal (60) added 117 runs for the first wicket, laying down an excellent platform for others to build upon. Ajinkya Rahane made 48, as India suffered a collapse finishing on 327 in the first innings.
SA v IND 2021-22: WATCH- Ashwin, Pujara and Siraj dance to celebrate Centurion Test win
South Africa never got going in their first do, as they were bundled for 197 runs with Mohammad Shami taking 5/44 and Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur taking 2 wickets each. Shami also completed 200 wickets in Tests.
India’s second innings ended on 174 with Rishabh Pant top-scoring with 34 runs. Rabada and debutant Marco Jansen picked four wickets apiece. India earned a lead of 304 runs and set South Africa a target of 305 to win the Test.
While Dean Elgar made 77 and Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 35, the Indian bowling unit proved to be too much as the home side. On the final day, Jasprit Bumrah (3/50), Mohammad Shami (3/63), and two wickets each for Mohammed Siraj and R Ashwin won the match for India.
South Africa folded for 191 runs and India won the Test match by 113 runs and became the first Asian side to register a Test win at this venue in Centurion. KL Rahul got the Player of the Match for his century.
The Indian team members shared their joy of a historic Test win on Twitter and we have some of the best tweets.
Here they are:
