• South Africa defeated India by 36 runs and an innings in Centurion Test.

  • Marco Jansen contributed significantly to South Africa's win.

SA vs IND [Twitter reactions]: Marco Jansen’s all-round brilliance and Nandre Burger’s 4-fer crush India in Centurion Test
Virat Kohli and Nandre Burger (Image Source: Twitter)

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In a riveting display of cricketing prowess, South Africa left India reeling with a resounding 36-run victory by an innings on the third day of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion. The home team’s stellar performance in both batting and bowling, spearheaded by Dean Elgar and Marco Jansen, left the cricketing world in awe.

South Africa’s dominance

Starting Day 3 with a lead of 11 runs, South Africa exhibited unwavering determination as Elgar (185) and the emerging talent, Jansen (84), forged a pivotal partnership. Despite a spirited fightback from the Indian bowlers, including the likes of Shardul Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah, South Africa managed to extend their lead to a substantial 163 runs before eventually being bowled out for 408.

India’s struggle

In response, India’s batting order crumbled like a house of cards. Despite a valiant effort from Virat Kohli, who scored a resilient 76, the rest of the lineup failed to withstand the relentless onslaught from the South African bowlers. The Indian team was eventually bundled out for a meagre 131 runs, succumbing to defeat.

The star of the South African bowling attack was the young Nandre Burger (4/33), who wreaked havoc in the Indian camp by claiming a sensational four-wicket haul. This marked India’s fifth consecutive defeat in the Test format, raising questions about their performance on foreign soil.

Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin warns Marco Jansen for backing up too far at non-striker’s end during Centurion Test

Marco Jansen’s impact

One of the standout performers in the match was the all-rounder Jansen. His contribution with both bat and ball played a pivotal role in South Africa’s dominance. Jansen’s aggressive yet composed batting style not only provided stability to the South African innings but also demoralized the Indian bowlers. His brisk 84-run knock showcased a blend of power and precision, leaving an indelible mark on the Centurion Test.

Nandre Burger’s four-fer

While Jansen’s heroics with the bat were noteworthy, it was Burger who stole the show with his exceptional bowling performance. Burger’s four-wicket haul dismantled the Indian batting lineup, leaving them in disarray. His ability to extract bounce and movement off the pitch, coupled with relentless accuracy, made him a nightmare for the Indian batters.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also READ: Dean Elgar enters an elite list following his majestic knock in the Centurion Test

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About the Author:
VISHWANATH HARIHARAN
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.