1st Test: India beat SA by 113 runs for maiden Centurion win, lead series 1-0

India defeated South Africa by 113 runs to win their first-ever Test at the SuperSport Park, Centurion and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series on the fifth and final day on Thursday. Chasing a target of 305 runs to win, the Proteas were bundled out for 191 just after lunch in the second innings as India became the first Asian side to win a Test match in Centurion. 

This was just the third time South Africa were dismissed for under 200 in both innings in a home Test since their re-admission. Meanwhile, for India, the win capped a successful year which started with a historic win at ‘Gabbanator’, Australia, along with at the Lord’s and at the Oval in England.  

This was only the second time that India won four Test matches outside Asia in a calender year, the last being in 2018 – when India won in Johannesburg, Nottingham, Adelaide and Melbourne.  

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The day started with skipper Dean Elgar batting with Temba Bavuma with the hosts needing another 211 runs to win. After resisting the potent Indian seam attack on Day 4, Elgar was the first to fall on te final day, caught LBW by Jasprit Bumrah. 

The skipper fell for 77 from 156 deliveries, a knock that included 12 boundaries. 

Wickets kept falling at regular intervals as the rest of the Proteas batting lineup crumbled, with Quinton de Kock (21) and Bavuma (35*) the only batters with significant contribution. 

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The hosts were 182 for the loss of seven at Lunch and were skittled out in just two overs after the break, with Shami removing Marco Jansen (13) before Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Rabada (0) and Lungi Ngidi (0) in the same over to seal the win. 

KL Rahul, who helped India a commanding position in the first innings with a majestic 123 from 260 – his seventh Test ton – was adjudjed player of the match.