Virat Kohli led India to their maiden win in Centurion.  |  Photo Credit: AP
Key Highlights
- Team India defeated South Africa by 113 runs in the Centurion Test match to go 1-0 up in the series
- This was India’s first-ever win in Centurion
- Should India win one more Test, they will register their first-ever Test series win in South Africa
Virat Kohli-led Team India kicked off the South Africa tour with a big 113-run in the Centurion Test match. Riding on a brilliant batting display from KL Rahul and a combined effort from the pacers, the visiting side conquered SA at their fortress.
Rahul gave a positive start to the team and added 117 runs for the first wicket with Mayank Agarwal in the first innings. The right-handed batsman scored 123 runs before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. In the 2nd innings, he was Team India’s 2nd highest run-scorer and scored crucial 23 runs as India were dismissed for 174.
With the ball, Mohammed Shami emerged as the star performer and scalped 8 wickets. He took a five-for in the first innings. The win in the opening Test marked a winning end to India’s campaign in 2021. As the players celebrate the win, here’s a look at the list of records and milestones achieved by captain Kohli –
Kohli is now the only captain in the history of Indian captain to register a win in Centurion. Team India had registered wins in SA but a win in Centurion eluded the visitors. India registered a comprehensive win by 113 runs to kick off the series with a win. SA have 21 wins in 27 Tests in Centurion.
Kohli is now the only Asian captain to lead his team to wins in two Boxing Day Test matches. In 2018, he captained the side to a win over Australia in Melbourne. India won that series 2-1.
Kohli is the first-ever Indian captain to win two Test matches in South Africa. In 2018, he had led the visitors to a win in the 3rd Test match of the series. Should India win another match, they will register their first-ever series win in the rainbow nation.
Kohli is also the only captain to lead India to 4 Test wins outside Asia in a year twice. He had first achieved the feat in 2018.
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