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India displayed a lackluster performance in the first Test at Centurion, facing a crushing defeat by an innings and 32 runs to a dominant South African team. The Indian side struggled against South Africa's relentless pace attack and the unpredictable bounce of the pitch. Their star-studded batting came crashing down, as they were wrapped up for a meager 131 in just 34.1 overs, following a 164-run deficit in the first innings. This loss hands South Africa a decisive 1-0 lead in the two-match series, shattering India's aspirations of a maiden Test series win in South Africa in three decades.
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Rohit Sharma-led India's only chance for redemption now rests on securing a draw in the series, which hinges on a victory in the upcoming New Year's Test in Cape Town. In Centurion, despite being put to bat first, India's total was primarily bolstered by KL Rahul's commendable 101 as without his effort, the team might not have crossed 200 in their first innings. The collective batting failure was glaring, with particular focus on Shubman Gill's ongoing challenges in making a significant impact in Test cricket.
Since Yashasvi Jaiswal joined the Indian Test squad, Gill has been batting at number three, yet his performance has not shown marked improvement. In 35 Test innings, Gill has accumulated 994 runs at a rather unimpressive average of 31.06. His last notable score above fifty was a 128 against Australia in Ahmedabad earlier in the year. However, in his subsequent 7 innings, his highest was an unbeaten 29 against the West Indies.
Meanwhile, India's seasoned wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has pointed out that Gill's role in the Test team is now under scrutiny. He emphasised that there will be considerable pressure on Gill to prove his worth in the upcoming final Test, scheduled to begin on January 3.
“Shubman Gill is the big question mark here. He has not lived up to the expectations that people have. I think even he would be aware that if you are going to average mid-30s or early-30s after having played 20 Tests, then you would consider yourself to be a bit lucky to be around. His place will definitely be under the scanner if he doesn't have a great Test match in the next one,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.
Karthik also expressed his view that India is feeling the absence of Sarfaraz Khan, who has consistently performed well in the domestic red-ball cricket scene for several years but has not yet had the opportunity to play for the Test team.
“The only middle-order name that we are missing out on is Sarfaraz Khan. I have no doubt that he will make it to the squad much sooner than he thinks right now. Other than that, you do not have any other names doing the round in the middle order right now. Rajat Patidar is a very, very strong name that I think they will be looking at very soon,” Karthik concluded.
India will be aiming for redemption by clinching a win in the second Test which is slated to start from January 3.
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