Indian team after winning the three-match ODI series against South Africa will look forward to playing the Boxing Day Test against the same opponent in Centurion. Indian team doesn't have a great record on South African soil in Test format, but they would look to rewrite history and notably, would look to take inspiration from the fact that India went onto win the Boxing Day Test at the same Centurion venue.

Numbers and stats ahead of SA vs IND 1st Test match:

0 - India has never won a Test series against South Africa on South African soil.

India vs South Africa in Tests on South African soil:

  • Played - 23
  • India - 4
  • South Africa - 12
  • Draw - 7

Only in 2010, India managed to draw a Test series by 1-1 margin against South Africa on South African soil.

1 - India have won only one out of three Test matches in Centurion.

India in Test matches in Centurion:

  • Lost to South Africa by inns & 25 runs in 2010
  • Lost to South Africa by 135 runs in 2018
  • Beat South Africa by 113 runs in 2021

8 - Last 8 out of 10 Test matches have been won by teams batting first in Centurion.

South Africa have batted first in six out of last ten Test matches at Centurion and went onto win in all those six occasions.

15 - Lungi Ngidi has taken 15 Test wickets against India at the Centurion venue.

Most wickets vs India in Tests in Centurion:

  • Lungi Ngidi - 15 (4 inns)
  • Morne Morkel - 11 (4 inns)
  • Kagiso Rabada - 11 (4 inns) 

Lungi Ngidi vs India in Tests in Centurion: (1/51 & 6/39 in 2018) and (6/71 & 2/31 in 2021).

15.37 - Rohit Sharma averages only 15.37 with the bat against South Africa in Tests on South African soil.

Rohit Sharma vs South Africa on South African soil in Tests:

  • Inns - 8
  • Runs - 123
  • Avg - 15.37
  • 50s - 0

The above sample set is from 2013 & 2018 Test series against South Africa, before Rohit Sharma became an opener in Test cricket in 2019.

The upcoming two-match series will be first bilateral Test series for Rohit Sharma as captain on SENA soil.

22 - South Africa team have won 22 out of 28 Test matches in Centurion.

South Africa in Tests in Centurion:

  • Played - 28
  • Won - 22
  • Lost - 3
  • Draw - 3

Instances of SA losing Test matches in Centurion:

  • vs England in 2000
  • vs Australia in 2014
  • vs India in 2021

50 - Kagiso Rabada has taken 50 Test wickets in Centurion.

Most Test wickets at Centurion venue:

  • Dale Steyn - 59 (20 inns)
  • Makhaya Ntini - 54 (20 inns)
  • Kagiso Rabada - 50 (14 inns)

51.35 - Virat Kohli averages 51.35 with the bat against South Africa in Tests on South Africa soil.

Virat Kohli vs South Africa on South Africa in Tests:

  • Inns - 14
  • Runs - 719
  • Avg - 51.35
  • 50s - 3; 100s - 2

Virat Kohli smashed 153(217) in Centurion in 2018.