South Africa vs India, 1st Test at Centurion, SA v IND, Dec 26 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary

So, India finish the year on a high. South Africa have some homework to do. We will have our analysis pieces up soon. Meanwhile, do read Sid Monga's report in case you missed the action, or want to relive another memorable win for India. For now, that's all from my side. See you soon.

KL Rahul is the Player of the Match: It was just grit and determination, I really wanted to get my team off a good start. The opening stand was crucial. It's been more about my mindset, I have worked a little bit on my technique, I worked really hard on my game when I was out of the team for a couple of years. It's all coming together now. The discipline I think is the biggest contributor. Virat just mentioned that our fast bowlers have shown great heart, not just today but over the last two-three years. It's still the first game of the series, we want to take this confidence into the series and win another Test in a few days' time.

Virat Kohli: We got off to the perfect start we wanted to. Getting the result in four days shows how well we played. It's always a difficult place, South Africa, but we were clinical with bat, ball and in the field. A lot of credit goes to Mayank and KL and we were in pole position at 270 for 3 after day one. We had a lot of belief in our bowling unit to get the job done. We spoke about it in the change room. Since he didn't bowl much in the first innings, it helped opposition get those extra runs. Just the way these guys bowl together, it's just a hallmark of our team getting a result from that position. Shami is an absolutely world-class bowler, among top three seam bowlers in the world for me. Very, very happy for him to get 200 wickets and have an impactful performances.

Dean Elgar: It was always going to be a bit tough. We could have executed our lengths better on day one but we fought back after lunch but then we let it slip a little bit after tea. Our bowlers were brilliant after that [on day three]. It was great to restrict India. But with bat in hand, we let ourselves down quite a lot. I say the difference was the batting. I think we can have a little sit down and strategise going forward. I don't think we did a lot wrong.

Time for the presentation ceremony.

Prasanna S: "Overall SA did way better than what it was on day 1. Their bowling attack is on safe hands for future. Batting will take 2 - 3 years to evolve, one can't replace the class of Smith, Amla, Kallis, ABD and Faf overnight. Petersen looks promising and they need to persist with promising youngsters and be patient."

Shohit: "SA not crossing 200 in both innings. "

Ashish: "Toss between Rahul and Shami for the MoM. And I feel it will be Rahul cos run scoring was difficult and he scored a glorious hundred on the opening day."

sanju: "MOM pick might be KL Rahul, as he is the only difference between the two sides and the win margin is his first innings score!"

Ramanujam: "First 40 overs on 1st day is the difference between the 2 sides"

12.50pm At the start of the year, India breached Gabba, they end the year by breaching yet another fortress. Yes, this South African side is going through transition but they are always formidable at home. And when the second day was washed out, many thought a draw was the most likely result. But the Centurion pitch changed its nature, as it does mostly, on day three. Eighteen wickets fell that day, which kind of made up for the lost time. India couldn't score many in their second innings but their first-innings lead meant South Africa were chasing a daunting 305. Elgar fought hard on a difficult pitch and against a relentless Indian attack, Bavuma showed fight as well but that was all the South African batting line-up had to offer. Shami was precise, Siraj energetic and Bumrah magical as India took only 68 overs to wrap up the South African innings. India take 1-0 lead in the series with their first ever Test win at Centurion.

Ngidi. Ashwin goes over the wicket

Around the wicket

Ashwin from the other end. A slip and catching midwicket

David: "Bavuma needs to start slogging and cross his fingers"

Around the wicket to Rabada

Dipak raaj: "Hopes also on rain... You missed that"

12.40pm The players are on the field, under blue skies. Beautiful sunshine. Shami will resume for India. Two slips and a gully and a catching short midwicket

12.30pm Welcome back. India just three wickets away now. South Africa's diminishing hopes rest on Bavuma. The second new ball is 14 overs away.

Noon That's lunch on the final day. India's seamers have removed Elgar, de Kock, and Mulder this morning to leave the visitors three wickets away from breaching fortress Centurion. "There is a cloud build-up from behind the ground," says Firdose Moonda. We will be back in 40 minutes for what could be the last session of this Test.

Elsewhere, the Indian women's hockey team's sterling win against Australia is ESPN India's pick for match of the year. Read more here..