In a disappointing turn of events at Centurion, Team India faced a crushing defeat against South Africa, losing the opening Test by an innings and 32 runs. Virat Kohli's 76 stood out in India's meager second-innings score of 131, leaving them with an insurmountable 1-0 series deficit. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, making a comeback since the World Cup final loss, expressed his disappointment but emphasized the distinct nature of Test cricket and World Cup finals.

Rohit, who had a forgettable outing with scores of 5 and 0, rejected direct comparisons between the two losses, stating, "A loss is a loss. Losses are quite disappointing, whether it is a World Cup loss or a loss like that (against South Africa). But the weightage both tournaments have is quite different." Looking ahead to the second Test starting January 3, Rohit sees an opportunity for redemption in Cape Town.