India rout South Africa by 203 runs to win 1st Test in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Mohammed Shami took five wickets and Ravindra Jadeja claimed four as India defeated South Africa by 203 runs in the first Test here in Visakhapatnam on Sunday (October 6).

With this, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series for the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy. Chasing 395 on the fifth and final day, the visitors were bowled out for 191 in 63.5 overs.

Shami and Jadeja were the chief architects of India’s victory after Rohit Sharma had dazzled with the bat with twin centuries in the match. Shami returned with figures of 5/35 while Jadeja took 4/87.

Ravichandran Ashwin took the other South African wicket to complete 350 wickets in Tests. He is now the joint quickest to the milestone along with Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan.

Resuming at 11/1, South Africa found themselves in deep trouble at 70/8 but Dane Piedt (56) and Senuran Muthusamy (49 not out) resisted the Indian attack with a 91-run partnership. However, Shami broke the stand with Piedt’s wicket and later wrapped up the inning with the scalp of Kagiso Rabada.

Earlier, Jadeja had taken three wickets in one over as he sent back Aiden Markram (39), Vernon Philander (0) and Keshav Maharaj (0).

The second Test starts in Pune on October 10. The third and final Test is in Ranchi from October 19.

With this series being a part of the World Test Championship, India claimed 40 points and stay on of the table with 160 points. Earlier, they had collected 120 points for their 2-0 whitewash of the West Indies.

Rohit was adjudged Man-of-the-match. Speaking after the Test, the right-hander said, “Thanks to everyone for giving me that opportunity but the focus was on winning the match. The communication to me happened a couple of years ago that I might open at some stage. So even when I wasn't playing Tests, I was batting against the new balls in the nets.”