Centurion, In a disheartening turn of events, Team India faced a resounding defeat by an innings and 32 runs against South Africa in the opening Test at Centurion. The Indian batting lineup crumbled for a mere 131 runs in the second innings, sealing a 1-0 series lead for South Africa.
The pitch’s relentless pace and unpredictable bounce caught India off guard, leading to a lackluster performance on Day 3. Virat Kohli’s notable 76 off 82 deliveries was a solitary highlight, contributing more than half of India’s second-innings runs.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, making a comeback since the World Cup final loss, experienced a forgettable outing with scores of 5 and 0 in both innings. Despite the strong Test team reputation, India finds themselves trailing in the two-match series, dashing hopes of a Test series victory in South Africa.
Speaking in a post-match press conference, Rohit Sharma expressed the difficulty in comparing the Test series loss with the World Cup final heartbreak. He emphasized that each match holds its significance, and while winning the Test series would be extraordinary, the World Cup and Test cricket are distinct entities.
“A loss is a loss. Losses are quite disappointing, whether it is a World Cup loss or a loss like that (against South Africa). But the weightage both tournaments have is quite different. So, it is hard for me to compare World Cup loss to this,” remarked Rohit Sharma.
Looking ahead, the Indian team aims to bounce back in the second Test starting on January 3. Following the South Africa tour, India is scheduled to resume its home season with a T20I series against Afghanistan, followed by a five-Test series against England.