South Africa defeated Team India by an innings and 32 runs at Centurion, their first setback of the current 2023-25 World Test Championship – Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah
In eight attempts, India has never won a Test series in South Africa. Their most recent opportunity to correct that record was squandered, with the tourists slated to play only one more Test in the series.
Overall, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah and company had a dismal performance, with several players failing to show up. However, a few notable players had remarkable performances.
On that point, here are three players who shone for Team India and two who struggled in the first Test against South Africa.
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Jasprit Bumrah – 5 (Star)
Jasprit Bumrah has been in excellent form since returning from a long-standing back ailment in time for the 2023 World Cup. His return to Test cricket went off without a hitch in the first Test against South Africa.
Bumrah was unquestionably India’s finest bowler in the tournament. He got the new ball to move and was unlucky not to gain more credit for his efforts during that phase.
When he returned, the spearhead delivered a two-wicket burst, giving his team a footing in the game.
Bumrah added two more wickets later in the innings to his tally of four. He was also India’s most economical bowler, and he could have used some help from the other end.
Rohit Sharma – 4 (Flop)
Even in Test cricket, the shot Rohit Sharma took to be removed in the first innings has become all too typical. In a disgraceful dismissal, the opener assisted a leg-lined ball straight to fine leg, putting India under pressure early in the first innings.
Unfortunately, Rohit was bowled out by Kagiso Rabada in the second innings, but his poor performance wasn’t restricted to the bat. He was a terrible captain, allowing South Africa to cruise to a massive victory on Days 2 and 3.
Rohit refused to deploy his strike bowlers when necessary, underbowled Ravichandran Ashwin and maintained defensive fields throughout. On the pitch, India was devoid of motivation and ideas, and their skipper must bear most of the responsibility.
KL Rahul – 3 (Star)
KL Rahul got out on a weak shot in the second innings, but it shouldn’t detract from what was an all-time amazing effort in the first.
The keeper-batter, who spent the majority of his time at the crease with the tail, performed well to record one of his finest Test hundreds. He farmed the strike and hit boundaries all over the ground to help India to a competitive total, accumulating a tonne in the process.
Rahul’s confidence while leaving outside off, as well as his ability to deal with seam movement and bounce, will be critical to India’s prospects of tying the series in the second Test.
Shardul Thakur – 2 (Flop)
Shardul Thakur is in the Test squad not because he is a trustworthy bowler, but because he can add a few runs with the bat at No. 8. And, while he did that in the first innings, his carelessness with the ball cost India dearly.
Thakur leaked runs at a 5.31 economy rate, throwing away freebies in every over and failing to put any pressure on the opposition. He also failed to produce any wicket-taking opportunities, with his scalp of Dean Elgar serving as little consolation. To make matters worse, the 32-year-old overstepped five times and fell behind schedule.
India must decide if they value Thakur’s batting enough to keep him in the team.
Virat Kohli – 1 (Star)
India’s Test squad is now going through a difficult transition period. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer are among the many talented players rising through the ranks.
Regardless, India’s Test batting lineup relies on one player – Virat Kohli. The former captain seemed at ease in Centurion, making good contributions in both innings despite the difficult circumstances.
Kohli was the only player to bat on Day 3, and only a touch of Rabada magic could get him out in both innings. What a performer!