As the record fell like a pack of cards in The shortest test ever – WITH BALLS – India clinched the Newlands battle by seven wickets and shared the two-Test series 1-1 with South Africa.
After losing the Centurion Test in one innings, India staged a surreal comeback, recording a Test win in Cape Town for the first time ever.
In a contest that lasted 107 overs – 642 balls – the Indian bowlers dominated Mohammed's title Lamp And shine brightly with their menacing spells.
After Siraj's fiery outburst (6/15) in the first innings, Bumrah (6/61 in 13.5 overs), a master practitioner of fast bowling, took the stuffing out of South Africa's middle order in a dangerous morning spell on day two. Aiden Markram (106 off 103 balls) batted like a lone ranger on a burning surface to take South Africa to 176 in 36.5 overs at lunch.
A 79 even on the toughest tracks wasn't exactly a tall order and youngster Yashavi Jaiswal (28) bowled his bat in front of skipper Rohit Sharma (16 not out) completed the formalities in the company of Shreyas Iyer (4 not out off 6) in just 12 overs.
As it happened
It was India's first victory at Newlands in seven attempts, and one that will be remembered for the animosity shown by two Indian fast bowlers – Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who produced a career-best six-wicket haul to bowl out South Africa for 55 in the tournament. First roles.
The series-levelling win gave Rohit the bragging rights of being only the second skipper after Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2010-11) to chart a series in the 'Rainbow Nation'.
However, South Africa remains unconquered territory for India, which has been unable to win a Test series in the country.
It was the shortest Test match ever in terms of overs bowled, beating the previous best match involving Australia and South Africa at the MCG in 1932.
A total of 106.2 overs were bowled in this match while 109.2 overs were bowled in the 1932 match which Australia won. Surprisingly, South Africa's first innings lasted for 23.2 overs, just like this game.
It would be surprising if the Newlands Stadium track did not receive a 'below average' rating from ICC match referee Chris Broad.
In fact, South African batting consultant and former national captain Ashwell described Prince as “the fastest first-day track” he had even seen at this venue but what worried him was the “inconsistent bounce” on display.
As a venue, Newlands' host body West Province Cricket Association is bleeding financially and a day-and-a-half match is a losing event for them.
Skipper Rohit would not mind winning his first Test as captain in a SENA country but more importantly the decisions he took were a reflection of his leadership acumen.
Playing Mukesh Kumar (4 wickets) in place of Shardul Thakur was a good move and also made the bowlers realize the ideal length of the ball after the error on Centurion.
The way Bamrah and Siraj read the idea in the first article was an example of how the current generation does not give up after a debilitating defeat.
On Thursday, the ball did not fly off the surface as much as it did on the opening day but with enough power to move off the surface, Bumrah reverted from his long backhand approach in the first over to a style that completed more traditional long deliveries to set alarm bells for the Proteas.
This was his ninth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
As he might soon run out of partners once David Bedingham (11) edged one behind the stumps and Kyle Vereen misjudged the length while taking an unnecessary shot, Markram began attacking the inexperienced Mukesh Kumar (2/56 in 10 overs). And the always extravagant Prasidh Krishna (1/27 in 4 overs).
Markram found it easy to hit balls through the gaps as he hit 17 fours and two powerful sixes off Prasidh.
In the morning, the ancient bumrah flower was in full bloom on the specially designed surface.
Starting on 62 for 3, South Africa quickly lost their middle order to 111 for 7 before Markram took over in a 51-run stand with Kagiso Rabada as he bowled every Indian bowler.
Finally, it took first-innings hero Siraj (1/31) to trigger an errant move from Markram, ensuring the lead did not cross the 100-run mark.
(With inputs from PTI)
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