India beat South Africa by 113 runs in the first Test at SuperSport Park to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“It was a fair result,” Amla said. Cricket South Africa website.
“They (India) have been a strong unit over the last two years. They collectively have more experience and it always makes a big difference when you run to support you on board.”
South Africa did not have many experienced players with only captain Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi having some decent performances in the traditional format while India had all the top players.
Amla said India’s big lead in the first innings had a big impact on the outcome of the match.
Amla said, “Centurion is notorious for becoming more difficult to bat as the day progresses. So once India have won the toss, batted and scored more than 300 runs, the Proteas can reduce that score to very low for the batsmen.” Had to do fewer matches,” Amla said.
“Being 130 runs behind them really hurt, and it made up the difference.”
The 38-year-old Amla, who scored 9282 runs in 124 Tests at an average of 46.64 with 28 centuries, praised the Indian batsmen for their top-class performances on the first day of the Test.
“On the first day, the pitch looked the best for batting and credit was given to the Indians for playing disciplined cricket,” he said.
“It is clear that when teams come to South Africa, their batsman talks about leaving well outside the off-stump and that is probably why the Proteas let themselves down.”
Amla felt that the South African bowlers made a good comeback after that difficult opening day.
“Challenging the defense was not enough. That was on the first day, but on the second day, however, he did very well to restrict the Indians to 327. He could have got over 400.
“The bowlers had their moments. Lungi (Ngidi), KG (Kagiso Rabada) and young (Marco) Janssen certainly stood out. However, I enjoyed watching Temba Bavuma in relatively low scoring matches. He always looks like this Like he has time and rarely bothers.”
Amla conceded that there is work to be done for South Africa, though he still believes he can make a comeback and defend his proud record of never losing a home series to India.
“There’s definitely a way, but it’s going to be laser-focused for extended periods of time and touching a fortune,” he said.
“(Captain) Dean (Elgar) and Aiden (Markram) are class players with pedigree for hundreds and if they get the pace, it will definitely ease nerves and give much needed confidence to the young guys.”
The batting legend wants Temba Bavuma to bat better in the same order now that Quinton de Kock has retired from Test cricket.
“Our two best batsmen in the middle are Temba and Quinton (de Kock). Now that Quinton is out of Test cricket, it further cripples the batting line-up and in fact, now more than ever, it makes it imperative for Temba to bat higher.
“Whether it’s three or four, give him time to play a solid role as opposed to a recovery.”
The second Test will be played on January 3-7 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
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