Xtra Time Web Desk: India shines bright again after winning a boxing day test match, this time in the rainbow nation. A massive win by 113 runs against South Africa has made India the first Asian nation to clinch victory at the venue the game was played, Centurion. This is also their first win at Centurion. The win earned captain Kohli the title of first Indian captain having won two boxing day test matches. Recently, India had stormed in the home series against New Zealand and the team is on cloud nine after winning the first test match against Proteas. This is indeed a perfect start of the series for India who is pursuing maiden test series title on South African soil. Now, out of 39 Test matches played between the two nations India now has 14 wins and the Proteas 15.
KL Rahul’s who won player of the match award for his stunning knock of 123 off 260 balls and Mayank’s 60 off 123 balls gave India an edge over on the opening day. However, Lungi Ngidi picked up Cheteshwar Pujara with a thud on the batter’s pad and Captain Kohli’s wicket as his struggle with the bat continued. Kohli had to walk back to the pavillion after contributing 35 runs off 94 balls to the team’s scorecard. Team India ended their first innings putting up a gigantic 327 runs in 105.3 overs. Coming down to bat South Africa’s top order suffered a terrible blow from Mohammed Shami’s outstanding pace. Shami went on a massive five wickets haul picking up opener Makram, Keevan Petersen, Bavuma, Mulder and Rabada. The mega haul gave Shami a berth in the 200 test wicket club. Eventually, India’s bowlers decimated the host’s batting line up at 197.
In the second innings India lost the momentum and all the wickets fell for 174 but the visitors set a stiff target of 305 runs for the hosts to chase. As Virat Kohli was taken at 18 by Jansen, it’s another year for him without scoring a century in a test match. The last time Kohli scored a ton was in 2019 Pink Ball Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata. Dean Elgar’s thunderous show for once did exuded the chances of South Africa’s win but the hopes were dashed when Bumrah’s ball hit the skipper’s pad and he had to walk back after scoring a thumping 77 runs for his team. It’s was the magic spell of India bowlers who steered India to a glorious win as Shami and Bumrah picked up 3 wickets each, Siraj claimed 2 whereas Ashwin’s magical spin ended the game as he picked up wickets of Rabada and Ngidi in two consecutive deliveries. Thus, India’s prowess in boxing day test continues.
It’s India who have taken the lead by 1-0 now and have a chance of creating history in next test match. A victory will see them lifting up cup in test series for the very first in rainbow nation. The Proteas in order to stay in the game needs to see the face of win. The second test match will begin from 3rd January 2022.