Team India started the South Africa tour on a fantastic note, beating the home side by 113 runs in the first Test. This was India’s first win in Centurion. Right from the start, they were on the top as they piled up 327 runs in the first innings and bowled the Proteas out for just 197 runs in the first innings.
India got a healthy first-innings lead of 130 runs and even though the Proteas bowlers were able to fold them out for just 174 runs, they had to chase 305 runs in the final innings on a surface, which had an uneven bounce and was doing some tricks. Skipper Dean Elgar tried his best to save the game for the home side with a gritty knock of 77 runs but South Africa were eventually bundled out for 191 runs.
Seeing the performance in the first Test, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh reckoned that the current team is best placed to win the first-ever series in South Africa because of the quality pace attack they have at their disposal.
Speaking to Sports Tak, Harbhajan said, “We’ve spoken about it earlier as well that this series will present plenty of opportunities against South Africa. When India used to tour South Africa earlier, it seemed as if they are travelling to play in very difficult conditions, but now the irrespective of the scenario in South African cricket, India have the bowlers to take 20 wickets. Shami picked five wickets and bowled splendidly in the second innings. Bumrah took crucial wickets on Day 4 evening.
The 41-year old said that India are a very strong team and the hosts are no match to them.
“Overall, if you look at it, this South Africa team is no match to the current Indian unit. I feel this is a very strong Indian team and like I had said earlier, this is their best opportunity to win a Test series there. If they can’t win it this time around, it will be very difficult. The start though has been very good and, in the time to come, India will win at least one of the next two games and take the series,” Harbhajan further said.
Kohli and co. will look to seal the series in the second Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg starting December 3, the venue where they won the last time.
