India register historic win in Centurion to lead series 1-0 in South Africa

India won the first test in South Africa by 113 runs, closing out victory on the final day on Thursday by taking the last three wickets in two overs right after lunch. (AP Photo)

India became only the third team after England and Australia to beat South Africa in a test at SuperSport Park, and it gave top-ranked India a precious 1-0 lead in its quest to finally win a test series in South Africa on its eighth attempt. (AP Photo)

The real key to India's victory was its fast bowlers, who out-performed the South African attack on a pitch where the Proteas usually have the pace to dominate opponents. (AP Photo)

India quicks Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami had three wickets each in that final innings. Bumrah, seemingly fully recovered from an ankle injury earlier in the test, struck a crucial blow with the first wicket of the day when he forced out South Africa captain Dean Elgar lbw for 77. (AP Photo)

India also managed to win with the best part of two sessions to spare despite the entire second day of the test being washed out by rain, a testament to the efficiency of its bowling attack. (AP Photo)

Ashwin's game-clinching two wickets in the last over were the only wickets by a slow bowler in the entire test. (AP Photo)

The second test of the three-match series is in Johannesburg, another fast-bowler friendly venue, and starts on Monday. (AP Photo)

“It’s always a difficult place, South Africa, but we were clinical with bat, ball and in the field,” said India captain Virat Kohli, who led a team that lost by 135 runs in Centurion on the way to losing the series in 2018. (AP Photo)