Vernon Philander took a stunning six-wicket haul as South Africa bowled out India for just 135 to win the first Test by 72 runs.
Chasing a challenging 208 on a tough pitch, India’s batsmen failed to deliver for the second time in the game. Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay had made a promising start to the innings, adding 30 runs for the first wicket. But South Africa clawed their way back into the game by dismissing both the openers and Cheteshwar Pujara for just 9 runs to leave India reeling at 39 for 3.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma then steadied the ship for a while by adding 22 runs before Vernon Philander dismissed both of them in quick succession to all but seal India’s fate. Kagiso Rabada then dismissed Hardik Pandya for just 1 to leave the visitors reeling at 77 for 6. Five runs later Wriddhiman Saha also departed before Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar revived India’s hopes for a while. The duo added 49 runs for the eighth wicket before Ashwin and Mohammed Shami departed in quick succession. On the very next ball after Shami’s departure, Philander dismissed Jasprit Bumrah to wrap up the Indian innings.
Earlier in the day, India’s pacers came up with a brilliant show to restrict the Proteas to just 130. Resuming the day on 65 for 2, South Africa suffered a major collapse to lose their last eight wickets for just 65. The hosts could add only one run before Hashim Amla was sent back by Mohammed Shami. Seven runs later, Shami Struck again, forcing Kagiso Rabada to edge one behind in the slip cordon.
Jasprit Bumrah then joined the party, dismissing Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock before Shami removed Vernon Philander as South Africa found themselves reeling at 95 for 7. AB de Villiers and Keshav Maharaj then added 27 runs to stop the rot for a while before India took three wickets for 8 runs to end the innings.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
Ppl talking abt pace n bounce but this guy #philander not much pace but does the job for his team,that’s what matters.Well done SA for the win N better luck team India in the next game m hoping a come back from boys #IndvsSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 8, 2018
Before series starts~ Hum lenge South Africa se 25 saalon ka hisaab.
After series starts~ South Africa ne hamaari le li.#SAvIND
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 5, 2018
Ashwin and Shami gone in the same over. Philander might well say, as my school geometry teacher used to, QED. He's been simply magnificent hasn't he?
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 8, 2018
Pic 1: Team India at home
Pic 2 : Team India on foreign tours#INDvSA #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/dALTiXd9KR— DK (@iamDK_78) January 8, 2018
South Africa in their last 2 Tests have claimed 40 wickets in 189 overs. That is a wicket after every 28 balls. Thrice have they bowled out the opposition in less than 45 overs. #RSAvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 8, 2018
It has been amazing to watch the South African bowlers. The way the Indian batsmen have played and missed reminds me of the old joke. Bowl him a piano. See if he can play it.
— Mihir Bose (@mihirbose) January 8, 2018
Pic1- Rohit Sharma in IPL
Pic2- Rohit Sharma in International cricket pic.twitter.com/74RkakbMC0— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) October 1, 2015
Match finished in 4 days, one day for Kohli to have extended honeymoon
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) January 8, 2018
Thank God Dale Steyn is out of next 2 matches.
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 8, 2018
Indian players looking towards sky.#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/9AsxPMFNNl
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 8, 2018
#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/ceH21quHok
— Swagma male (@zZoker) January 8, 2018
Rahane just had one poor home series vs SL otherwise he was averaging nearly 50 in 2017. Match winning 100 in Colombo. Crucial 50 in a low scoring game in Bangalore. Strange that he was dropped just due to one bad series.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 8, 2018
No application, no game plan, no motivation. Just a bunch of flat track bullies content with counting their millions from the IPL.
— Ripper (@Ace_Of_Pace) January 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/HitmanCricket/status/950352825007013889?
Ravi Shastri's face after Virat Kohli's dismissal is my face right now.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) January 8, 2018
Only few people know Dhawan's middle name is 'Raina'. #SAvIND
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 8, 2018
Murali DRS-Vijay! #SAvIND
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 8, 2018
Dhawan out. Why hasn't Vijay reviewed?#SAvsIND
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 8, 2018
How long before Murali Vijay starts to review balls for no balls and gets them right.#SAvsIND
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 8, 2018
Murali DRS-Vijay! #SAvIND
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 8, 2018
Shikhar Dhawan’s reaction after surviving the first ball… #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/4sl3iMjk7j
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) January 8, 2018
Dropped catch, missed direct hit and clumsy mistimed pull. You need to compensate for this Dhawan #SAvIND
— The Goan Patiala ?? (@TheGoanPatiala) January 8, 2018
Oh wow, India need less than they got in the first innings to take the series lead! #SAvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 8, 2018
All the Indian openers need to do is survive the first 10-15 overs, just long enough that Kohli doesn't have to face the ball moving around. After that, it's him and the chase, and there's no one you'd have than him for it.
— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) January 8, 2018