Elgar and South Africa pacers flatten India inside three days
Only Kohli's 76 offered any resistance during India's second innings, which lasted a mere 34.1 overs and featured nine single-digit scores
26/12Result
1st Test, India tour of South Africa at Centurion, Dec 26-28 2023
-
![India]( "India")
245 & 131 (34.1 ov) -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
Player of the Match
26/12Result
1st Test, India tour of South Africa at Centurion, Dec 26-28 2023
-
![India]( "India")
245 & 131 (34.1 ov) -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
Player of the Match
Day 3
Rohit backs under-fire bowlers after three-day loss in Centurion
"Prasidh has played a lot of white-ball cricket for us in the last two or three years, and he has shown that he has got a lot of potential"
Injured Bavuma ruled out of Cape Town Test
Dean Elgar will lead the side in his absence, while Zubayr Hamza has been added to the squad
Stats - The shortest Test between South Africa and India
South Africa's dominance in Centurion, Rohit vs Rabada, and more
Jubilant South Africa put their name up in lights
This is a Test team still in development, and that makes their statement victory at SuperSport Park all the more impressive
Day 2
Elgar's hundred gives South Africa the lead
KL Rahul had scored a century of his own, but a poor bowling performance from India handed the advantage back to the hosts
Off-colour India fail to make the most of seam-friendly conditions
India conceded 145 in the middle session, and it looked like they were lacking the depth they had developed in the preceding years
KL Rahul completes a rare set as wicketkeeper
The India batter marked his first Test as wicketkeeper with a hundred, and hit some high notes along the way
Rahul on online abuse: 'The sooner you stay away from it, the better your mindset is'
"It does affect each person. And anyone who says that doesn't affect them at all, I'm sure is lying"
Day 1
Rabada and Rahul share honours in 59-over opening day
South Africa have India at 208 for 8 and won't feel too dissatisfied with their work before rain took everybody off the field
Middle-order man KL Rahul showcases his versatility
In difficult batting conditions, with his team in a hole, KL Rahul held the fort from No. 6 - once again succeeding in a new role, something he's done across formats
Rabada lands his punches on Boxing Day to reassure South Africa
The fiery quick had the Centurion crowd buzzing, as he expertly took on the cloak of responsibility in an inexperienced South African pace attack
Hamstring strain puts Bavuma's participation in Centurion Test in doubt
Dean Elgar appeared to have taken over leadership duties after Bavuma left the field
Others
India's bowling woes in Centurion a symptom of a larger problem
With Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur proving ineffective, the lack of depth in bowling reserves is a concern
Gavaskar: Gill 'playing a bit too aggressively in Test cricket'
Gavaskar feels Gill has to adjust to the demands and nuances of red-ball cricket
This Burger's out to ruin the batters' day
He's a late bloomer but has had a heady two weeks or so, debuting in all formats for South Africa, isn't intimidated by anyone, and does it all with a smile
India return to sporting South Africa, still chasing history
India have run their hosts close on each of their last five visits, and the pitches there always keep them in the game. Still, they are yet to close out a Test series in the country
South Africa want to entertain, but for now they need to win
There is pressure on Shukri Conrad's team to play an attractive brand of Test cricket and keep the fans interested, but results, as always, are paramount
Bavuma: India's bowling attack nullifies the advantage we have
The South Africa captain feels the series will come down to how the batters take on the challenge
Dravid: KL Rahul 'very keen' on giving wicketkeeping a go
"He has kept really well in one-day cricket. So just a question of transferring that into red-ball cricket," says the head coach
Rahul's chance to master two formats at the same time
As of now it wouldn't be unfair to label him too good to limit himself to one or two formats
India's thorny Centurion questions: Rahul vs Bharat, Thakur vs Ashwin
And will they continue with Shubman GIll at No. 3?
Kohli leaves South Africa, likely to be back for first Test
Abhimanyu Easwaran has replaced Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been ruled out of the two-Test series because of an injury
India look to conquer final frontier as South Africa wait at Fortress Centurion
Rabada and Ngidi are fit and should make the playing XI, while India have the Ashwin vs Thakur question to answer
