South Africa thrash India by an innings and 32 runs in Centurion Test

The great Indian batting line-up failed to live up to expectations, and Rohit Sharma's dream to become the first India captain to win a series in South Africa ended with a big defeat on Thursday.

The Proteas beat India comprehensively inside three days by an innings and 32 runs to get 1-0 lead in a 2-match Test series to keep their proud home record intact against the visitors.

India scored 245 in their first innings as wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul stood as a lone warrior to put up some resistance against South Africa's fearsome pace-battery with a century effort of 101 off 137 balls, including 14-fours and 4-sixes. Meanwhile, no other Indian batter managed to score even a fifty.


South Africa put up 408-10 on board in their first innings after senior campaigner Dean Elgar scored 185 off 287 balls with the help of 28 fours. He was duly supported by all-rounder Marco Jansen who remained not out at 84.

India conceded a lead of 163 runs and couldn’t manage to cross that mark on Day 3 of the Test match.

Team India in their second innings were bowled out for 131, with only Virat Kohli scoring a fifty.

Young fast-bowler, Nandre Burger, who made his debut for the Proteas, grabbed 7 wickets in the game. Meanwhile, seasoned camapigner Kagiso Rabada added 8 scalps to his illustrious record to torment the visitors.

Brief Scores:

India first innings: 245 all out.

South Africa first innings: 408 allout in 108.4 overs (Dean Elgar 185, Marco Jansen 84 not out; David Bedingham 56; Jasprit Bumrah 4/69, Mohammed Siraj 2/91).

India second innings: 131 all out in 34.1 overs (Virat Kohli 76, Shubman Gill 26; Nandre Burger 4/33, Marco Jansen 3/36, Kagiso Rabada 2/32).