IND vs SA: 5 key moments from the 1st Test match and their impact

The world's No.1 Test team India has shown once again that they are an unstoppable force at home as they beat South Africa in the first Test at Vishakhapatnam. A 203-run win maybe a huge margin, however, the match was competitive until Day 5. The match impacted both the teams. Here are some of the key moments of the game.

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Rohit Sharma & Mayank Agarwal’s solid opening partnership 

Rohit & Mayank gave a solid start to the team with their 317-run opening partnership of 317 runs. In his debut Test as an opener, the former scored 176 runs. While the latter made another daddy hundred with 215 runs. The partnership becomes the highest for the opening wicket in any India vs South Africa Test match, giving the hosts an early advantage in the Test match.

Dean Elgar & Quinton de Kock’s gritty knocks

After the collapse of the South African top order, the responsibility fell on the shoulders of Elgar & De Kock, to which they responded brilliantly. Both the left-handers showed a lot of character and weaved a 164-run partnership which made sure that South Africa stayed in the contest. Indian bowlers had to toil hard to get their wickets. Eventually, Elgar fell on 160 off Jadeja. de Kock also scored a hundred as South Africa marched to 431 in their first innings.

Ashwin’s wonderful spell of spin bowling

India’s main bowler in home conditions once again shined with the ball. Ashwin ended with figures of 7-145 in the first innings, with the wickets of Aiden Markram. He also took out Theunis de Bruyn and Quinton de Kock amongst them. He became the joint-fastest to 350 Test wickets alongside Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan.

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Rohit Sharma & Cheteshwar Pujara’s match-turning partnership

After having got a lead of 71 runs, India had to score runs at a brisk rate in order to have enough overs to bowl South Africa out but Mayank Agarwal fell early to a beautiful delivery from Keshav Maharaj. Sharma was joined by Pujara at the crease and the latter found it difficult to play initially but once he was set, he upped the ante and started scoring quickly. The duo joined hands for a 169-run partnership before Pujara was bowled by Philander. The partnership had ensured India reaches a formidable total which later turned out to be a match-winning partnership.

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Mohammad Shami’s fabulous fifer

Shami’s love affair with the second innings of a Test match continued as he decimated the South African batting with his swing & seam. He picked up the wickets of Temba Bavuma, South African captain Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock. Thus shattering the backbone of South Africa's batting. Although the visitors' tail showed some resistance, Shami was simply too good for them eventually as he wrapped up the proceedings in style to give India 40 points on the World Test Championship table.

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