Centurion: Team India continued their brilliant overseas form as they thrashed South Africa by 113 runs in the first match of the three-Test series here on Thursday.
It was the first time India had breached Fort Centurion. They had previously won only three Tests out of 20 played in South Africa.
More significantly, it was India’s fifth Test victory abroad in 12 months. They beat Australia 2-1 last December-January and lead England 2-1 in an unfinished series in July-August when the final Test was cancelled due to Team India’s COVID-19 concerns.
Opener KL Rahul was adjudged Man of the Match in the Centurion Test for scoring the only century of the game on a pitch which aided fast bowlers.
Indian pacers rose to the occasion too, with Mohammad Shami bagging 8 wickets in the match, Jasprit Bumrah 5, Mohammad Siraj 3 and Shardul Thakur 2. Off-spinner finished off the game with the last 2 South African wickets.
India’s next target will be to seal their maiden Test series win in South Africa. The next two Tests will be played at Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Scores: India 327 & 174. South Africa 197 & 191.
Result: India won by 113 runs.
INDIA’S OVERSEAS WINS IN LAST 12 MONTHS
* Beat Australia at Melbourne
* Beat Australia at Brisbane
* Beat England at Lord’s
* Beat England at The Oval
* Beat South Africa at Centurion.
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