On This Day In 2021: India Clinches Maiden Test Win Vs South Africa In Centurion

On This Day In 2021 Cricket: India pulled off their maiden Test triumph in Centurion and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series on the 2021-22 tour of South Africa on this day. The subcontinental giants, who were aiming to conquer their final frontier in the rainbow nation, began the tour on the most impressive note with a 113-run win in the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park.

India elected to bat first after skipper Virat Kohli won the toss on Day 1. On a difficult surface where the pacers enjoyed significant seam movement and uneven bounce, the tourists got off to a dream start.

Karnataka boys KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal shared an excellent opening stand of 117 runs. Agarwal struck a free-flowing 60 in the middle, while Rahul went on

to register one of his best hundreds.

India register their first Test victory in Centurion 🎉

They defeat South Africa by 113 runs and go 1-0 up in the series.#WTC23 | #SAvIND | https://t.co/qi2EfKhLHp pic.twitter.com/FXMMb7UVe4

— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2021

Exhibiting a wonderful defensive technique and range of strokeplay, Rahul hammered 17 fours and 1 six in his masterful knock of 123 off 260 deliveries. Rahul continued from where he left off a series before in England and enhanced his reputation as a player for the sternest challenges.

Outside Rahul and Agarwal, only senior duo Kohli (35) and Ajinkya Rahane (48) looked settled for any length of time on that pitch as India finished 327 all out.

Experienced seamer Mohammad Shami then delivered perhaps his finest burst in overseas conditions, taking 5 for 44 to help India dismantle the South Africans and bundle them out for just 197.

Unlike the Proteas, who paid dearly for being wayward on the first morning, Shami and his partner Jasprit Bumrah (2/16) nailed their lengths from the word go. Temba Bavuma’s 52 remained the top score for the hosts. They conceded a near-decisive lead of 130 runs.

India’s second innings reinforced how tricky the batting conditions were in Centurion. The tourists would’ve been glad that their bowlers delivered the goods and gave them a massive impetus in the game. They were bowled out for 174, with 34 from Rishabh Pant ending as their highest individual score.

Kagiso Rabada (4/42) and Marco Jansen (4/55) shared eight wickets between them and ensured the Indians didn’t go too far beyond 300.

Set a target of 305, South Africa began their chase on an awful note, losing elegant opener Aiden Markram (1) to an absolute peach of a delivery by Shami. Shami, who took a fifer in the first innings, eventually finished with eight scalps for the Test.

At the other end, Jasprit Bumrah (3/50) and Mohammed Siraj (2/47) proved too good for the home side before the wily Ravichandran Ashwin (2/18) finished off the proceedings.

Only the Dean Elgar (77) and Bavuma (35*) showed some resilience in the middle against the Indian attack, as South Africa collapsed to 191 all out.