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PHOTOS: Seamers secure big win for India at Centurion

December 30, 2021

IMAGES from Day 5 of the first Test between South Africa and India at Centurion on Thursday.

IMAGE: India's Mohammed Shami celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Marco Jansen. Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami took three wickets each as the tourists bowled South Africa out for 191 to claim an emphatic 113-run victory just after lunch on the fifth day of the first Test in Centurion on Thursday.

South Africa had resumed on 94 for four chasing a venue record 305 for victory, but fell well short of their target on a spicy wicket that had plenty of assistance for the bowlers.

 

India achieved their victory despite the entire second day of the Test being washed out due to rain.

The home team folded for 191 in 68 overs to give India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. South Africa couldn't even post 200 runs in the both the innings with skipper Dean Elgar's 77 off 156 balls not exactly being a saving grace.

IMAGE: India's Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates after with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Lungi Ngidi, to win the match. Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Quinton de Kock will be missing from the line-up from the next Test as he will be on paternity leave and it will certainly make it easier for India to claim their first series win in South Africa since they first toured here in 1992.

For India, the four pacers took 18 wickets between them and Ravichandran Ashwin wrapped up the South African tail just after the lunch session to complete formality.

IMAGE: Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Dean Elgar. Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

The three men who won the match for India were, vice-captain KL Rahul for that first innings hundred that gave the team platform, supremely talented Mohammed Shami (5/44 and 3/63) who had a match-haul of eight wickets and the peerless Jasprit Bumrah.

Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur were the perfect supporting cast in one of the better and comfortable overseas wins for Virat Kohli's men.

Bumrah (3/50) set the tone for the final morning by removing the dogged Proteas skipper Elgar (77 off 156 balls) while Siraj (2/47) and Shami also got into the act knowing that there is forecast for some rain in the late afternoon session.

IMAGE: Mohammed Siraj celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Quinton de Kock. Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Shami dropped Elgar off his own bowling but it was Bumrah, who kept on asking probing questions to the Proteas skipper.

One such delivery was angled into the left-hander as he shuffled way too much and leg before was one of the easiest of decisions that umpire Adrian Holdstock had to make in this match.

De Kock (21) came in and hit couple of delicious shots off Bumrah, before he was bowled off an inside by Siraj.

 

IMAGE: Mohammed Shami celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Wiaan Mulder. Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Wiaan Mulder (1), who has had a forgettable match with no wickets to show for his efforts, got a beautiful delivery from Shami which took the edge, while Ashwin cleaned up the last two wickets to power India to an easy win.

The second Test will be played in Johannesburg from January 3-7, with the third set for Cape Town from Janary 11-15.

 

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