HIT OUT OF THE PARK
India records 113-run win over SA in Test series opener
CENTURION: India’s pace unit destroyed South Africa with its relentless attack and fashioned an emphatic 113-run win in the first Test here on Thursday, setting the team on the path of an elusive series victory in the Rainbow nation.
The year started with India breaching the Fortress Gabba Down Under and it couldn’t have asked for a better ending as it has now brought down SuperSport Park, which has been South Africa’s citadel for a long time.
The target of 305 on a track with a lot of uneven bounce was always out of question and the script unfolded as per the narrative. The home team folded for 191 off 68 overs to give India a 1-0 lead in the three-match Freedom series. Such was the command of the India pacers that they took rain out of the equation despite one full day being lost. It was a pity to see South Africa struggle to post even 200 runs in both innings, with skipper Dean Elgar’s
77 off 156 balls (12 fours) in the final essay not exactly being a saving grace.
The four India pacers took 18 wickets between them while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin wrapped up the South African tail just after the lunch session to complete the formality. Bumrah (3/50) set the tone for the final morning by removing Proteas
skipper Elgar while Siraj (2/47) and Shami (3/63) also got into the act.
With Temba Bavuma (35 not out off 80 balls, 4 fours) for company, Elgar stitched 36 runs in the first 45 minutes of play. But, the best part was that there was no let up in the intensity of the India attack as skipper Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant were constantly heard cheering the bowlers.
Shami dropped Elgar off his own bowling, but Bumrah kept asking probing questions to the South Africa captain. One such delivery was angled into the left-hander as he shuffled way too much to be trapped leg before wicket.