Team India scripted history after defeating South Africa by 113 runs on Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. India became the first Asian Team to register a win in Centurion, which is considered as South Africa’s fortress.
India’s Test wins in South Africa:
- 123 runs – Johannesburg 2006/07
- 87 runs – Durban 2010/11
- 63 runs – Johannesburg 2017/18
- 113 runs – Centurion 2021/22
Resuming the day at 94/4, the South African side reached the triple-figure mark with skipper Dean Elgar hitting a boundary on the fifth ball of the day to pacer Mohammed Shami. During the 46th over, Shami got a caught and bowled chance of well-set Elgar, but he failed to hold onto it, giving the Proteas captain a valuable lifetime.
But Elgar failed to capitalise on the lifeline as he was trapped in front by Jasprit Bumrah for 77. After Elgar’s wicket, Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma partnered for 31 runs and took the team’s total past the 150-run mark.
The partnership, however, was broken by Mohammed Siraj as the left-handed batter once again played on while going for a cut shot. In the next over, Shami produced a magical delivery to get rid of Wiaan Mulder for just 1 as India further inched closer to victory.
Bavuma and debutant Marco Jansen showed some resistance as the hosts managed 182/7 till lunch on day-5. But in the very first over in the second session, Shami once again bowled a beauty to send back Jansen for 13. Soon, Ravichandran Ashwin joined the party and finished the proceedings by picking the final two wickets to help India register history.
Brief scores: India 327 (KL Rahul 123; Lungi Ngidi 6/71) & 174 (Rishabh Pant 34; Kagiso Rabada 4/42) beat South Africa 197 (Temba Bavuma 52; Mohammed Shami 5/44) & 191 (Dean Elgar 77; Jasprit Bumrah 3/50) by 113 runs.
Notably, 2021 is the second time India have won four Tests outside Asia in a calendar year (Brisbane, Lord’s, Oval, Centurion). The previous such instance was in 2018 (Johannesburg, Nottingham, Adelaide, Melbourne).
Here is how Twitter reacted:
#TeamIndia WIN at Centurion 👏👏🇮🇳#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/35KCyFM4za
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2021
🚨 RESULT | INDIA WIN BY 113 RUNS
Well done to @BCCI, we will see you in the second Betway Test match 👏 #SAvIND #FreedomTestSeries #BetwayTestSeries #BePartOfIt
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 30, 2021
Centurion Conquered. In 3.5 days. Let’s convert this start into the first ever Test series win in South Africa. 👏👏 #SAvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 30, 2021
Starting the year at the Gabba and finishing it thus at Centurion is a mighty achievement. The WTC final was the only aberration in a great year of test cricket
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 30, 2021
Supersport park is SA’s fortress. They hardly ever lose there.
Team India: 😆 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/uHGvwUD0U3— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 30, 2021
In 2021, India has now beaten four top Test sides
– Australia
– England
– New Zealand
– South Africa#INDvsSA#IndvSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 30, 2021
Victory for Team India at Centurion! India has one very fine Test team! The depth they have is so so good. That’s a very good win. 👏🏼 #SAvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) December 30, 2021
India win their first ever Test match at Centurion.
Now only one ground remains where India played multiple Tests and lost all of them (India lost all 3 Tests at Rose Bowl, Southampton – in 2014, 2018, 2021).#SAvIND
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 30, 2021
2021 has been fantastic year in Test cricket for India. At the start of the year they breached Australia’s fortress (Gabba after 32 years), won at Lord’s, won at The Oval (after 50 years). Reached WTC final. Took 1-0 lead by beating South Africa at Centurion.
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 30, 2021
India’s historic winning moment 🌟#SAvIND | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/T88aMy4taP
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2021
🇮🇳 1 – 0 🇿🇦
Historic win for India at Centurion. WHAT. A. TEAM 💙#SAvIND
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) December 30, 2021
2008 WACA
2021 Gabba
2021 Centurion
India breaching fortress – the only instance of an Asian side winning in these venues.Next stop: Cape Town#SAvsIND
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) December 30, 2021
India in the last 12 months in Test cricket:
Beat Australia at Melbourne
Beat Australia at Brisbane
Beat England at Lord’s
Beat England at The Oval
Beat South Africa at Centurion#Cricket— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) December 30, 2021
INDIA WIN! 🔥
Ngidi is the last man out, as Ashwin picks up his second wicket 💪
🇿🇦: 191#SAvIND #OrangeArmy
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 30, 2021
What a superb win this is! @ashwinravi99 finishes things in style! 1-0 India. Gabba breached. Centurion Breached. Best ever year for India in Test cricket! Perhaps yes.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 30, 2021
INDIAA WIN 🇮🇳💙
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 30, 2021