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South Africa defeated India by an innings and six runs to go 1-0 in the two-match-series. India who were forced to follow-on, got bowled out for 319 on the fourth day which included only a Tendulkar heroic.
His 46th test ton went in vain as the rest of the batsmen could not build long partnerships to take the match on the penultimate day. Dale Steyn finally finished the match gathering 10 wickets for 108 runs.
A humbled Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today conceded that his side had no answer to Dale Steyn's devastating pace in the first Test against South Africa but vowed to bounce back for a series-levelling win in the second match in Kolkata. "We were completely outplayed in all departments of the game. It was a good wicket to bat on the first two days and Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla (Man of the Match) played brilliantly for South Africa to put up a huge total. Then Dale Steyn produced sensational fast bowling spell," Dhoni said after the home side were handed an innings and six run defeat. "Steyn's bowling, I think was the best I have seen in the last two years, at least as far as conventional swing bowling goes. Seven of the 14 dismissals of our batsmen were great deliveries," he added.
He said the change of ball after tea yesterday was the turning point of the match. "The ball was changed at tea break and we lost five quick wickets. It changed everything. Once we lost Virender Sehwag, I got out immediately and the ball was reversing. After that it was difficult for the tail-enders," Dhoni said. Dhoni refused to blame his bowlers for allowing South Africa to pile on a huge score in their first innings but said even on the flattest of pitches, international bowlers are expected to take wickets. The second and the final test begins in Kolkata on Febuary 14, which is the last resort for Dhoni's men to hold the number one crown in Test rankings.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 558-6 decl.; India 233 and 319.
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