Rohit Sharma-led India were outplayed in all departments of the game in the Centurion Test as they were beaten by an innings and 32 runs by South Africa. The massive loss led to India slipping from the top position on the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table to the fifth position.
With their first win of the current WTC cycle, South Africa reached the top as they have a win percentage of 100. South Africa are followed by Pakistan (61.11 per cent), New Zealand (50 per cent), and Bangladesh (50 per cent).
Defending champions Australia led by Pat Cummins have a chance to move up the table. Australia have a win percentage of 41.67. If they win the second Test of the series against Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), they will rise on the points table.
At the end of Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test, Australia had a lead of 241 runs in the bag. With four wickets in hand after Day 3's play, the hosts have a chance to set a challenging target for Shan Masood’s Pakistan. If Australia win, India will slip to the sixth position on the table.
On the other hand, if Pakistan win the MCG Test, there will be no change on the points table barring the win percentage of the two teams.
On Day 3 of the Centurion Test, India suffered a massive batting collapse. No batter apart from Virat Kohli stayed in the middle long enough to make an impact. Kohli scored 76 runs while wickets fell on the other end. India were bundled out for 131 as they suffered their heaviest defeat on South African soil.
Earlier, Dean Elgar in the first Test of his farewell series scored 185. Marco Jansen backed Elgar and remained unbeaten for 84 to help South Africa post 408 in the absence on an injured Temba Bavuma. South Africa took a 163-run lead as India dropped catches and leaked plenty of boundaries.
India will have a chance to move up on the points table in the second Test starting on January 3, 2024, at Newlands, Cape Town.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
David Warner bids adieu to MCG in whites amid cheers in AUS vs PAK 2nd Test; watch video
