South Africa Trail India — Match Overview

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Late last year, the Indian national cricket team traveled to South Africa to play a long and spectacular series of 8 matches: 3 ODI matches, 3 T20I matches, and finally 2 Test matches. Test meetings are scheduled for December 26-30, 2023 in Centurion, and January 3-7, 2024 in Cape Town. You can bet on the 4 Ra Bet India for cricket matches or other sports. 

The first Test match of the series ended in a devastating failure for India. Despite the good results shown by the guests, the Indian team still failed to take the lead. South Africa celebrated their victory (though not for long: India got their revenge in the second match). We will tell you below how exactly the first Test match went.

South Africa vs India First Test — Results

If you don’t want the details of the first of the two Tests, here is the India vs South Africa result:

How long did the match last? 3 days
Who won the India vs South Africa match?South Africa
What was the score of the match?India 245/10(67.4) & 131/10(34.1)
Africa 408/10(108.4)

And then we will tell in detail how the intense three days of battle between the Indian and South African teams took place.

South Africa vs India First Test Overview

In a dominant display, South Africa clinched a resounding victory over India within three days in the first Test, triumphing by an innings and 32 runs on Thursday.

Making his debut, left-arm pacer Nandre Burger claimed 4-33, concluding with impressive figures of 7-83 for the match.

Burger’s exceptional performance, supported by Kagiso Rabada’s 2-32 and Marco Jansen’s 3-36, led to India being bowled out for a mere 131 runs in their second innings. Amidst the struggle, Virat Kohli stood tall with 76 runs, providing the only substantial resistance.

Rabada, with a total of 7-91, continued to shine, following his 5-59 in the first innings.

Reflecting on the match, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma admitted, “We were not good enough to win. We didn’t exploit conditions with the ball and didn’t show up today with the bat.”

South Africa vs India first Test cricket match 2023-2024 — India lost

Starting the day at 256-5, the Proteas wrapped up their first innings at 408, largely propelled by Dean Elgar’s monumental 185-run innings. India had earlier been dismissed for 245 in their first innings.

Elgar, playing his final Centurion Test after announcing his pre-series retirement, was rightfully awarded the player of the match for his remarkable performance.

Post-match, Elgar remarked, “It was a pretty special knock. I tried to play late and focus on the ball, playing it nice and straight.” He praised Burger and Rabada for their brilliance, acknowledging the challenge posed by the Indian team.

India, trailing by 163 runs, faced a disastrous start in their second innings and failed to recover. Despite Kohli’s valiant effort, scoring a brisk 50, the team crumbled to 131 all out, enduring a relentless bowling attack from South Africa.

The collapse continued in the morning session as South Africa capitalized on India’s insipid bowling, adding 111 runs for the sixth wicket. Elgar was eventually dismissed for 185, and Jansen showcased commendable resilience.

Sharma lamented, “If we want to win tests overseas, we have to come together collectively and we didn’t do that. Our batters were challenged, and we didn’t adapt well.”

Cricket match India vs South Africa — in the first Test in the 2-matches series India lost

South Africa’s victory was underscored by their comprehensive performance, with both bat and ball, sealing a convincing win in the opening encounter of the series.

Conclusion

In conclusion, South Africa’s emphatic triumph over India in the first Test at Centurion highlights their dominance in all facets of the game. From the exceptional bowling prowess displayed by debutant Nandre Burger and seasoned campaigner Kagiso Rabada to Dean Elgar’s masterful century, the Proteas showcased their depth and resilience. On the contrary, India’s inability to capitalize on favorable conditions and their struggles with both bat and ball underscores the challenges they faced throughout the match. As the series progresses, India will need to regroup and address their shortcomings to mount a comeback, while South Africa will aim to build on their commanding performance and maintain their momentum heading into the next encounter.

This victory not only provides South Africa with a significant advantage in the series but also serves as a statement of intent, signaling their resurgence on the international stage. With the stage set for a compelling battle between two cricketing powerhouses, the forthcoming matches promise to deliver thrilling cricketing action and test the resilience and adaptability of both teams. As the cricketing world awaits the next chapter in this gripping series, the first Test has set the stage for a fiercely contested battle for supremacy on the cricket field.

India Bowlers Toil Hard To Get South Africa All-Out Video

FAQ

Who won the first India vs South Africa Test match?

In the first Test match India vs South Africa, the South African team won. 

How many days did the first Test match of India vs South Africa last?

The first match between Indian and South African teams finished on 3rd day, on 28 December 2023. 

How did the second Test match of India vs South Africa end?

The second Test match in the series finished with the epic winning of India. It means the Test series ended with the score 1-1. 

Who was the Player of the Match in the first India vs South Africa Test?

Dean Elgar, playing his last Centurion Test after announcing his retirement pre-series, was named player of the match.

What was the score in the first Test match of India vs South Africa?

Here are the scores by both teams in the first Test match between South Africa and India. For India — 245 and 131, for South Africa — 408.