IND vs SA: 1st Test – India decimate South Africa to pocket first Test

Riding on Mohammed Shami’s excellent five-wicket haul on the fifth day, India defeated South Africa by 203 runs in the first Test at Vizag. South Africa resumed the fifth day with nine wickets in hand but lost seven in the first session itself. The tail fought hard and kept the Indians in the field for two sessions. Shami returned after the lunch break to wrap up the innings. India now lead by 1-0 in the three-match Test series. Rohit Sharma was adjudged player of the match for his twin centuries.

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Shami seams South Africa out

Mohammed Shami did not look all comfortable in the first innings. He hobbled in his run-up and looked weary. However, he shed all his lethargy in the second coming and ran through the South African backbone. It was R Ashwin who provided the first spark on the fifth day with Theunis de Bruyn cutting a ball back onto his stumps. Ashwin became the joint-fastest to 350 Test wickets with that dismissal but Shami stole the centre stage afterwards.

Also read: IND vs SA: 1st Test – Rohit’s record ton sets India for an exciting Day 5

Temba Bavuma was the first victim. He failed to cover for a delivery that kept low and destroyed the woodwork behind him. Shami then sent back Captain Faf du Plessis with a spectacular ball that hit a crack and seamed back a long way to peg back the off pole. Quinton de Kock was caught on the move as Shami claimed his third wicket, all bowled. South Africa’s three most important batsmen in the fourth innings back in the hut.

Jadeja joins the fun

It took one over for Ravindra Jadeja to make the match result obvious. On the first ball of the 27th over, he leapt and caught a lofted drive of Aiden Markram on his own bowling. Two balls later, Jadeja bowled two identical deliveries, both fetched wickets. Both pitched on and around leg stump and spun out viciously to find batsman’s pad obstructing their way to the stumps. Both dismissals needed to be reviewed but stayed with India. At 70/8, a pre-lunch finish was on the cards.

Piedt and Muthusamy resist

Dane Piedt, nightwatchman in the first innings, flourished in the day. Showing his resolve, the number ten batted with freedom. He was especially at ease against Jadeja. Piedt struck a few crisp boundaries against the left-arm spinner before and after the lunch break. Muthusamy also grew in confidence as the pair defied India for a long period. The duo added 91 runs while battling out 194 balls for the ninth wicket. It took a bit of reverse swing from Shami to dismiss Piedt. He later returned to end the innings with Kagiso Rabada’s wicket. Shami took a five-wicket haul while giving away just 35 runs. India stopped South Africa for 191 all out.