Indian captain MS Dhoni conceded his side had no answer to Dale Steyn's devastating pace in the first Test.
"We were completely outplayed in all departments of the game. It was a good wicket to bat on the first two days and Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla played brilliantly for South Africa to put up a huge total. Then Dale Steyn produced sensational fast bowling spell," Dhoni said after the home side were handed an innings and six run defeat.
"Steyn's bowling, I think was the best I have seen in the last two years, at least as far as conventional swing bowling goes. Seven of the 14 dismissals of our batsmen were great deliveries," he added.
He said the change of ball after tea yesterday was the turning point of the match.
"The ball was changed at tea break and we lost five quick wickets. It changed everything. Once we lost Virender Sehwag, I got out immediately and the ball was reversing. After that it was difficult for the tail-enders," Dhoni said.
Dhoni refused to blame his bowlers for allowing South Africa to pile on a huge score in their first innings but said even on the flattest of pitches, international bowlers are expected to take wickets.
"I think it is unfair to blame the bowlers because it was a batting pitch. But we could have bowled better. In international cricket even on the flattest of pitches you can get wickets. But overall I would put that way that we have been outplayed," Dhoni said.
India will have to win the second and final Test starting in Kolkata on February 14 if they want to remain world number one and Dhoni conceded that his side is on the backfoot.
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