South Africa vs India 2018, 1st Test: Hits and misses

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South Africa were dealt a huge blow as Dale Steyn was ruled out of the first Test and the rest of the series after suffering a heel fracture on Saturday.

The hosts were left with three pacers in the second innings in the form of Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

When the visitors bundled out South Africa on 130, their second-lowest Test total at home against India, they needed an imminently gettable 208 to win in the final innings.

Virat Kohli & Co. faltered in the chase and were dismissed at 135 as South Africa won the first Test by 72 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in three-match series.

The second Test will be played from January 13 at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Now, let's have a look at hits and misses from the first Test as South Africa win their 14th five-day game against India.

Hit: Vernon Philander

Vernon Philander was the star with the ball on Day 4 at Capetown as he produced a scintillating spell of 6-42 in the second innings, finishing the match with nine wickets overall.

Philander stepped up with his career-best figures as he cleaned up India's tail after taking key wickets of Indian skipper Virat Kohli and dangerman Rohit Sharma to lead the hosts to a 1-0 series lead.

Needing 208 to win, India’s batting line-up could not handle the resolute pressure applied by South Africa’s pace attack as the visitors were bowled out for 135.

Philander, who took his 100th wicket at home in 23 Tests when he removed Cheteshwar Pujara in the first innings, was declared the Man of the Match for his magical bowling that completely derailed India's chase.

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