3 Jan 2024, MEN’S INTERNATIONAL TEST MATCH SERIES DAY 2 OF 5

Second Test, Newlands, Cape Town

South Africa won the toss and decided to bat

India Vs South Africa 

SOUTH AFRICA. 55 ao off 23.2 ov Bedingham 12 off 17, 2 fours, Verreynne 15 off 30, 1 four,  Siraj 6-15, Burma 2-25, Makes Kumar 2-0

India 153 off 34.5 ov.     Kohli 46 off 59, 6 fours, 1 six, Gill 36 off 55, 5 fours, Rohit 39 off 50, 7 fours, Ngidi 3-30, Rabada 3-38, Burger 3-42.

South Africa  176 ao off 36.5 ov  Markram 106 off 103, 17 fours, 2 sixes,  Elgar 12 off 28, 2 fours, Burma 6-61, M Kumar 2056, Sarah 1-31.

India 80-3 off 12 ov. Jaiswal 28 off 23, 6 fours, Rohit 16 off 22, 2 fours, Rabada 1-33, Burger 1-29, Jansen 1-15.

India win by seven wickets

Only 107 overs  (642 Balls) are bowled as India beat South Africa in the shortest Test to win and enter into history of the game breaking a 91-year old record. Set 79 to win, the tourists got over the line midway through the afternoon  session on day two at Newlands for India to level the series 1-1.

The previous  shortest Test involving South Africa who were beaten by Australia in 656 balls in Melbourne in 1932.

South Africa were bowled out for 55 on day one and Markram’s 106 was in vain, as South Africa were all out again for 176 by the end of second morning. 

23-wickets fell on the first day as Jasprit Burmah removed South Africa’s right-hander David Bingham in the first over of day two, who finished 6-61 as the hosts collapsed again on a bouncy lively surface, only Markram countered to bring his seventh test century from 99 balls,  but eventually fell to Mohammed Siraj. India’s chase began after lunch  with left hander Yashasvi Jaiswal playing T-20 mode at the top order. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli  were dismissed as India closed in, Shreyas Iyer smashed the last ball of the 12th over for four to seal a memorable win.

Protea’s victory in the Boxing Day Test  at Centurion still ensures that India have still never won a Test series in South Africa.

Shortest test winners

          Winners.                         Teams.              Venue   Year balls

1).     India South Africa vs India,         Cape Town January 2024. 642

2).     Australia.           Australia vs South Africa.    Melbourne February 1932 656

3).    West Indies West Indies vs England.     Bridgetown January 1935 672

4)     England England vs Australia           Old Trafford.       August 1888 788

5)    England.             England vs Australia         Lords July 1888 792