"When did India last experience a Test defeat by an innings prior to Centurion 2023?"

 South Africa handed India a comprehensive defeat in the recently concluded first Test at SuperSports Park in Centurion. Lasting only three days, the match witnessed Proteas dominance with both bat and ball.

Opting to bat first, South African bowlers, notably Kagiso Rabada, tore through the Indian lineup, securing a remarkable five-wicket haul. Despite India struggling at 121/6, KL Rahul's outstanding Test innings of 101 salvaged the situation, allowing India to post 245 on the board, considered decent given the pitch conditions.

Dean Elgar emerged as a formidable obstacle for India, displaying resilience and effortlessly dominating the Indian attack. Alongside half-centuries from David Bedingham (56) and Marco Jansen (84), Elgar played a heroic innings, amassing 185 off 287 balls.

Despite Jasprit Bumrah's 4/69, India failed to restrict South Africa under 400, conceding a substantial 163-run first-innings lead.

In the second innings, Indian batters faltered, with the Proteas bowlers capitalizing on the conditions. Except for Virat Kohli's 76, none of the Indian batsmen applied themselves, and the team was bundled out for just 131, resulting in a humbling loss by an innings and 32 runs.

The defeat in Centurion marked India's 46th instance of losing a Test match by an innings. Prior to this, their last innings loss occurred against England in 2021 during the third Test of the five-match Pataudi Trophy at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

Entering the match with a 1-0 lead in the series, India's decision to bat first backfired as they were dismissed for a mere 78 runs. In response, England's top order, particularly openers Haseeb Hameed (68) and Rory Burns (61), built a substantial lead. English skipper Joe Root's remarkable century took the total to 432, resulting in a commanding 354-run lead.

Despite efforts from Rohit Sharma (59) and Cheteshwar Pujara (91), India succumbed to a formidable English bowling attack. Ollie Robinson's fifer and Craig Overton's 3/57 led to India's all-out score of 278, resulting in an innings defeat by 76 runs.