As Ravichandran Ashwin got the better of last man Lungi Ngidi, India secured their fourth-ever win in South Africa, securing a 1-0 lead in the 2021/22 Freedom Trophy. A look at five takeaways from the tourists’ thumping win, the first by an Asian team in Centurion.

Five-bowler strategy is here to stay

It seemed likely that India would continue with the same combination of five batters, one keeper, and five bowlers for the rest of the series. The present XI helps India as their numbers seven and eight, can hold the bat well and could contribute with crucial runs down the order. This combination helps them make the best use of pace-friendly conditions in South Africa, while the spinner could come into play if the pitch has something in it later on.

Openers have picked themselves for the series

The opening stand of 117 runs between KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal ensured that India were well ahead of the game on the very first day of the Test. The two have had enjoyed a good second half of 2021, and continued their form in Centurion.

As they showed in the Test, they can see off the new ball while also going for the attack whenever the opportunity arises. Given their rich form, and also informed by the relative lack of options in the India setup, the team would likely stick with these two openers for the next two Tests (but for an injury).

Middle order remains the biggest concern

India’s middle-order batters haven’t been among runs over the last few years, and the trend refused to die in South Africa. While Kohli and Rahane were able to get starts, they weren’t able to convert them into fruitful scores. The South African challenge would require the middle-order batters to stand up and be counted, and a win in the first Test might have given them a bit of breathing space but they are by far India’s weakest point in this series.

Does ‘all-rounder’ Thakur provide enough lower-order muscle?

While the India openers, assisted by Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli to some extent, helped set up a strong base for India in the first innings, their lower-order capitulated on the third day, losing their last seven wickets for merely 49 runs. This was negated by the superb bowling performance by India pacers, but the side still needed some quick runs in the second innings. Rishabh Pant answered back with a run-a-ball 34 which played an important role in India crossing 300.

India might need more such contributions from the lower order, especially given that the big names in the middle order hasn’t been in the best of shape in the last couple of years. Shardul Thakur is deemed as an all-rounder, and R Ashwin has been more than useful on occasion, and while it isn’t their primary role, given the South African conditions, a useful 30 or 40 might change the course of the game.

Ashwin might stay in the shadows

If the pitches continue to behave in the same fashion as they did in Centurion, Ashwin’s role in the tour of South Africa might be limited to playing as a number seven batter, and providing relief to the fast bowlers in the middle of their spells.

India’s leading wicket-taker in 2021, he didn’t pick up a wicket in 13 overs in the first innings, and picked up two scalps towards the end of the second one, after the quicks had done their damage.