IND vs SA: This South Africa Team Is No Match To Current Indian Unit: Harbhajan Singh

India registered a clinical victory by 113 runs on the final day of the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Despite South Africa skipper Dean Elgar’s stoic defence in the first session that gave the hosts a glimpse of hope that the game might turn in their favour. However, a buoyant Jasprit Bumrah got India the much-needed breakthrough as he trapped Elgar before the stumps for LBW.

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami help India to win the first Test against South Africa

Bumrah was supported by his long-time pace partner Mohammed Shami, who bagged the wickets of Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen to end with figures of 3/63.

Quinton de Kock showed some great intent with the bat as he drove Bumrah for a couple of boundaries straight down the ground. De Kock was knocked off by Mohammed Siraj before lunch.

Temba Bavuma, who was involved in a 136-run stand with his captain Elgar in the morning, was running short of partners on another end as Ravichandran Ashwin picked the last two wickets to give India a 1-0 lead.

India have started their quest for their first Test series victory in South Africa after breaking hosts’ jinx in Centurion, where they had lost just a couple of games before going down to India in the first match of the series.

If India can’t win the Test series in South Africa this time, it will be very difficult: Harbhajan Singh

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh said that the Indian team is very strong in comparison to their counterparts and this is their best chance to win a Test series in South Africa.

“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,” Harbhajan said on Sports Tak.

“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,” he added.

India will play against South Africa in the second Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, the match starts on January 3.

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