South Africa crushed India by an innings and 32 runs in the first game of the series in Centurion, continuing to exude dominance on home soil. The hosts’ convincing victory featured many match-winning shots, but Nandre Burger, making his debut, stole the show as he took seven vital wickets to lead the Proteas, along with Kagiso Rabada and Dean Elgar, to victory. Veteran South African pacer Lungi Ngidi interrupted the conversation to give a lighthearted round of applause to Nandre Burger, the man of the moment. “I mean, who doesn’t like a burger?” Lungi Ngidi remarked in his Instagram story.
Before accounting for the large fish, the South African rookie upset Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first inning. In terrifying Centurion, KL Rahul is the sole light in India. To further tighten his hold on the already struggling Indian hitters, the 28-year-old started the first inning where he left off.
The shining light has been someone like Nandre emerging to the fore. Elgar,
Burger choked hitters from the other end, making four victims this time, as Virat Kohli attempted to hold one end tight to offer the visitors a glimmer of hope. After taking seven wickets in his initial outing, the bowler trapped Jaiswal and KL Rahul once more. Elgar, the team’s acting captain, praised Burger highly and referred to him as the team’s “bright light.”
“The bowlers made a tremendous effort to take 20 wickets. It was quite juicy. It must remain straightforward and uncomplicated. In order to win the series, you’ll need quick bowlers and spinners to get those final 20 wickets. Rabada’s outstanding opening spell and the rise of someone like Nandre Burger. That has served as the bright spot. Excellent teamwork, indeed. “You can’t win a two-test series if you don’t win the first one,” interim captain Dean Elgar declared following the first Test’s victory.