South Africa has now won the first Test against India by 30 Runs and gained a lead of 1-0 in the series of 2 matches. The match was ended on the 3rd day itself. South Africa won the toss and selected to bat first , however their performance was not very satisfactory and the brilliance of Indian Bowlers made the PROTEAS uncomfortable as there were able to score only a total of 159 Runs losing all their wickets with only one batsman going above 30s Aiden Markram 31 (48) . Indian players saw this as an easy target and were eying on to lead 250+ Runs but things did not go as plan.
Before the game started , the pitch curator said this will be a decent wicket to bat on, and spin will work here by 3rd day , but its not a RANK TURNER. But the pitch changed quickly , in the second day , Indian batsman were also seen struggling to not give their wickets. In the First Innings , India scored 189 , with the help of appreciable knock of K.L RAHUL 39 (119) , gaining the lead of 30 RUNS.
South Africa 2nd Innings :
Even though the 30 Runs lead seems short , South African batsman lost 2 wickets covering the lead as the pitch changed so quickly. The bounce became so unpredictable and untrusted that only once batsman was able to score a half century the SA captain TEMBA BAVUMA 55 (136) ,a very well played captains knock , ensured his team to get to a fighting total of 153 , India needed 124 to win.
Team India Second Innings :
While chasing 124 India lost both their openers in just 1 Runs. After that Washington Sundar 31 (92) tried to keep he game in play , however the pitch was so unplayable that even straight balls were creating fear in batsman mind. And that lead India to lose 9 wickets within 93 Runs , an South Africa to won the First Test in India and leading the series.
WHY INDIA LOST ?
- INDIA was playing with 9 players as the skipper got neck spasm in the first innings.
- India went with 4 spinners , as they were all allrounders , no specialist batsman was there.
- After losing the captain the game was dependent on the openers , after both of them out the allrounders came in bat and they can cope up with the game since they were not specialist.
A Spinners Game ?
- Even though in the first Innings Jasprit bumrah took 5 wickets , in the first innings while India batting SIMON HARMAR took 4 wickets.
- In the second innings JADEJA TOOK 4 WICKETS , KULDEEP YADAV took 2.
- In the second Innings India batting HARMOR AGAIN took 4 wickets along with keshav maharaj 2 wickets.
So conclusively India struck in its web created for South Africa .