South Africa vs India: The Proteas beat India by an inning and 32 runs in the 1st Test at Centurion

South Africa destroyed the Indian batting line-up to claim victory by an inning and 32 runs in the South Africa vs India first Test, securing the victory in just three days. Kl Rahul's fighting century helped India put up a total of 245. The Proteas' bowling attack dismissed India for 131 in their second innings after South Africa had earlier scored 408 courtesy of Dean Elgar's magnificent knock of 185. The Proteas took a 163-run first-innings lead. Virat Kohli fought alone in the second inning and scored 76 but it wasn't enough. Debutant Nandre Burger took four wickets, Marco Jansen three, and Kagiso Rabada two in the second innings. South Africa cannot lose the series now and remain the only country where India have yet to win an away series.

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South Africa vs India 1st Test: What happened in the match?

1st Inning: India - 245; South Africa 408

After a rain-delayed start in the South Africa vs India 1st Test match, India got off to a disastrous start as they lost their top three inside just 24 runs in the first 12 overs. Kagiso Rabada dismissed Rohit Sharma on 5 to draw the first blood before debutant pacer Nandre Burger sent Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in quick succession.

Jaiswal got off to a solid start in his first Test in South Africa but was dismissed on 17 while Gill continued his mediocre run overseas as he could only score 2 runs while batting at no.3. Then Kohli combined with Shreyas Iyer to put India's inning back on track with a 68-run stand for the 4th wicket.

The duo did get off to a shaky start, getting a lifeline each after dropped catches in consecutive overs but looked in control until lunch. However, Iyer and Kohli departed in quick succession post Lunch with Rabada dismissing both batters to leave India hanging on 107/5. Kohli departed after scoring 38, and Iyer was sent on 31 off 50 balls.

Rabada and debutant Burger dismantled the batting lineup of the visitors. Kagiso Rabada continued his lethal run after lunch. He dismissed Ashwin and Shardul Thakur to complete his five-wicket haul. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 70 at the end of Day 1. Rahul, who had hit a match-winning Test hundred in Centurion 2 years ago resumed his love affair with the SuperSport Park. The first day ended after 59 overs bowled with 208 runs on the scoreboard. Kl Rahul completed his century but the Proteas bowled out India on a low total of 245 right after the start of Day 2.

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The Indian Cricket Team haven't had a great second day of the South Africa vs India 1st Test match in Centurion. When bad light forced early stumps, South Africa had already taken an 11-run lead with five wickets remaining courtesy of Dean Elgar's beautiful unbeaten 140. The start of India's bowling was not bad as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Aiden Markram early.

But Dean Elgar and Tony de Zorzi constructed a good partnership as South Africa were looking comfortable and the score had reached 91/1 with Elgar completing his half-century.

South Africa's score was 256/5 -lead by 11 runs- with Elgar (140) and Marco Jansen (3) unbeaten at the crease during the time of Day 2 Stumps. India would now feel that they failed to solve the only riddle of the match and that was Dean Elger who played a magnificent inning in the last test series of his career.

The last session of the day started with the debutant David Bedingham scoring a half-century. However, Mohammed Siraj provided India with a much-needed breakthrough, breaking the solid partnership.

After the beginning of Day 3, Dean Elgar moved from 140 to 185 before he was dismissed 30 minutes before lunch. He and Marco Jansen constructed a 111-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The pair started the day with a positive approach and Jansen remained not out on 84, his highest test score. South Africa ended on 408, taking a lead of 163 runs.

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2nd Inning: India - 131; South Africa wins by an inning and 32 runs

It was a terrific bowling performance, from the first ball of India's second innings. Rabada bowled India's captain Rohit Sharma and Jaiswal then gifted Burger his wicket to depart for five. Shubman Gill scored 26 runs off 37 balls but was bowled by Jansen to leave India hanging at 62-3 at tea.

Virat Kohli proved his worth and fought hard but wickets continued to fall at the start of the last session with Shreyas Iyer returning to the dressing room for 6 and then Burger taking two wickets in as many balls. KL Rahul, who scored a century in the first inning, went cheaply as he edged to Markram and Ravichandran Ashwin departed for a duck.

David Bedingham then took a catch at gully to help Rabada getting the wicket of Shardul Thakur. Virat Kohli was the last out for 76 runs off 82 balls, brilliantly caught in the deep by Rabada to put an end to the contest. Only Kl Rahul's century, Bumrah's 4-wicket haul, and Virat Kohli's 76-run inning were the positives for India from the South Africa vs India 1st Test match. The Proteas dominated the match and emerged as the deserved winners.

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma after the loss in the 1st Test

"We were not good enough to win. Having put into bat, KL batted well to get us that score but then we didn't exploit the conditions with the ball and then again didn't show up today with the bat. If we have to win Test matches, we have to come together collectively and we didn't do that. Guys have come here before, we know what to expect and everyone has their own plan. Our batters were challenged and we didn't adapt well. This is a boundary-scoring ground, we saw them score many but we need to understand the opposition and their strengths as well. We didn't bat well in both innings, that's why we stand here. Not too many positives to finish the game within 3 days, but KL showed what we need to do on this sort of pitch. Our bowlers, a lot of these guys haven't been here before so I don't want to be too critical. Important for us to regroup, we go through these times as sportsmen and we need to be ready for the next Test now."

Dean Elgar after the victory and his special 185-run inning

"Pretty special knock. Sometimes what we want to do hasn't worked out as planned, but happy that it worked today. I think you need to keep things nice and simple, the game is already pretty complex. Focus on the ball, play nice and straight. Play late and be great. You got to ride the roller when it is in your favour. Good partnerships with Tony, and then Jansen should his talent as well. You need fast bowlers and a spinner potentially to take 20 wickets, that's how we win Test matches. KG was brilliant, but then Nadre showed why he has been such a shining light for South African cricket. First few days were overcast, and close to sellout. Crowds don't need much motivation to come out and watch their cricket or rugby in Pretoria. You can't win a 2 Test series if you don't win the first one, the Indians are difficult to beat. We'll have a few days out to relax and enjoy this. We were pretty clinical, our fielding wasn't the best and we didn't make it too easy for ourselves at times."