South Africa skittle India to claim innings win in 1st Test

South African players celebrate the dismissal of India's Virat Kohli (L) during the third day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 28, 2023.AFP

Fast bowler Nandre Burger took 4-33 as South Africa bowled out India for just 131 in their second innnings to win the 1st Test by an innings and 32 runs in Centurion on Thursday.

Virat Kohli was the only batsman to test the home attack on the third day, top-scoring with 76 before being the last man out.

South Africa had earlier taken a first innings lead of 163 as Dean Elgar (185) and Marco Jansen (84 not out) extended their first innings to 408.

India were 62 for three at tea, still 101 runs in arrears, with Indian captain Rohit Sharma (0), fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) and Shubman Gill (26) all back in the pavilion.

The collapse began in earnest after the resumption as Burger, who had already removed Jaiswal with a sharp lifter, had first innings centurion KL Rahul, Ravi Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj all caught behind the wicket.

India's Shubman Gill is bowled by South Africa's Marco Jansen (unseen) during the third day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 28, 2023.
AFP

Jansen showed his all-round value to the team by taking 3-36.

Kagiso Rabada, who took five wickets in the first innings, picked up 2-32 and completed the victory by taking a sensational catch to remove Kohli whose 76 included 12 fours and a six.

The India innings lasted just 34.1 overs and leaves them looking for answers ahead of the second Test in Cape Town next week.

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada (L) celebrates after the dismissal of India's Rohit Sharma (C) during the third day of the first cricket Test match between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 28, 2023
AFP

The loss means India will have to wait a while longer if they are to win a Test series in South Africa.

They are the only regular Test-playing country where India have yet to win a series.