Cricket history was rewritten at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on Thursday, where India achieved a remarkable seven-wicket victory over South Africa in what became the shortest completed Test match ever. Spanning just 642 balls, the match eclipsed the 656-ball record set by Australia and South Africa in 1932 in Melbourne.
India, asked to bowl first, demonstrated exceptional bowling skills. Mohammed Siraj, the right-arm pacer, led the charge with an impressive six-wicket haul, bowling South Africa out for only 55 runs.
The pitch, notorious for its uneven bounce, saw India collapse dramatically from 153/4 to 153 all-out in a span of just 11 balls. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
The host team ended Day One at 62/3, with a total of 23 wickets falling, marking it as the second-highest number of wickets to fall on the opening day of a Test match.
Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal bowling in the morning session of Day Two claimed a five-wicket haul, leaving South Africa reeling. Aiden Markram’s counter-attacking century was the only significant resistance from South Africa, preventing an innings defeat. Chasing a modest target of 79, India efficiently reached the goal in just 12 overs, securing a historic win and rewriting the record books.
The match, lasting barely over a day and a half, showcased a fierce battle between bat and ball, with bowlers from both sides exploiting the challenging conditions.
India’s emphatic win in such a brief Test match reiterates their growing dominance in the cricketing world, particularly in the Test format. For South Africa, despite the loss, Markram’s resilient century stands out as a silver lining in an otherwise tough outing.
The match at Newlands will be remembered for its brevity and the sheer dominance of the bowlers, marking a rare occurrence in the annals of Test cricket. As both teams move forward, the lessons from this historic match will undoubtedly influence their strategies in future encounters. Get free cricket betting tips from Nextbet.
