India sealed their first-ever Test victory at the SuperSport Park on Thursday to cap off an already memorable 2021 with another historic overseas win under Virat Kohli. Notably, India had already defeated Australia, England and New Zealand in 2021 and with this Centurion victory over South Africa, India have now registered wins over top-four Test sides.
India breach Gabba fortress to kickstart 2021 with a win
India created history in January 2021, as they became the first team to beat Australia in a Test match in Brisbane in 33 years after winning the series-deciding fourth and final match at the Gabba by 3 wickets.
Australia, who last lost at this venue against the West Indies in 1988, were in for a rude shock on Day 5 of the Brisbane Test as India chased down the target of 328 thanks to brilliant knocks from Shubman Gill (91), Rishabh Pant (89 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56).
ing attack, India have pulled off what will be remembered as one of their greatest, if not the greatest, results in Test cricket history. India won their first-ever Test series on Australian soil in 2018-19 under Kohli and the second win didn’t take too long.
India register historic Test wins at the Oval and Lord’s
Virat Kohli became only the second India captain after Kapil Dev to register two Test wins in a series in England. Kapil Dev’s Indian team had achieved the feat during their 2-0 series triumph in England in 1986.
This was also the first time India have managed to win a Test at Lord’s and The Oval in the same series, something which only 5 teams (Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa) have managed in the past. India beat England on day 5 of the fourth Test to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series at The Oval.
India registered a 372-run win over New Zealand, their biggest-ever by runs in Test cricket
Jayant Yadav picked up 4 wickets and R Ashwin wrapped up the final wicket as India hammered New Zealand by 372 runs, their biggest-ever victory in terms of runs in Test cricket.
New Zealand, who were bundled out for 62, managed 167 in their second innings as they lost their last 5 wickets for just 27 runs on Day 4 morning. After holding fort to draw the first Test in Kanpur, New Zealand ran out of steam on a difficult Mumbai pitch where spinners ruled the roost.
This was also India’s 14th successive Test series victory at home — a record-extending streak. Also, India have won each of their 11 Test series played under Virat Kohli’s captaincy at home.
India register their first win in Centurion
The Indian pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj ruled the proceedings to bowl out South Africa for 191 on Day 5 and seal a historic victory in the first of a 3-Test series at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Virat Kohli’s men hammered South Africa by 113 runs to 1-0 up and secured an early advantage in South Africa,
This is also only India’s 4th victory in 22 Tests in South Africa dating back from 1992. It’s only the 2nd time India have taken lead in a Test series in South Africa after a Rahul Dravid-led side went 1-0 up only to lose a 3-Test series 1-2 in 2006-07.
