Mohammed Siraj Runs Riot In Cape Town, Reveals Secret Recipe To Success In 2nd Test

04.01.2024 - 03:44 sports.ndtv.com

Mohammed Siraj is delighted to have started the 2024 with career-best figures in Test cricket but after day one of the second Test, the India pacer was more pleased about rectifying the mistakes he committed during the series opener against South Africa.

Siraj had figures of 2/91 in South Africa's only innings in the opening Test but returned with six for 15 from nine overs to bundle out the hosts for 55 in first innings as 23 wickets fell on day one.

Did he think he will come out to bowl twice in a day? “Did you think so?” he chuckled with a counter-question. “We didn't think also.

We had put our feet up but this is cricket. You see both good and bad things,” he added philosophically. But he was visibly happy after having one of his best days in his 23 Test career. “You want the New Year to go well,” the affable Hyderabadi said with satisfaction written all over his face. “I realised what I missed in the last game and wanted to compensate and I executed my plans accordingly.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Test Mohammed Siraj South Africa India

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be marking their return to T20I cricket during the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan starting January 11. Both veteran batters last played for India in a T20I encounter back in November 2022. Since then, they have concentrated on ODIs and Tests with youngsters getting chances in the shortest format of the sport. As a result, a lot of questions were asked about their possible inclusion for the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Rohit will be leading India in the series and with Kohli back among the ranks, the plan ahead of the Indian cricket team seems clear.

"Made Mistakes In...": Rohit Sharma Faces Criticism Over Poor Captaincy On South Africa Tour

After the completion of the India vs South Africa series on Thursday, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out skipper Rohit Sharma's mistakes while leading the visitors and said that once one loses a moment, then they lose the game. While speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said that the 36-year-old skipper made mistakes in both Tests. He added that it cost the visitors during the first Test match. "In Test cricket if you lose moments, you lose the game. Rohit made mistakes in both Tests and while it cost us massively in the first game, thankfully Siraj had given allowance for the second Test. Siraj bowling just one over when Markram was scoring and the lead swelled to 60 was a mistake," Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Watch: Mohammed Siraj Credits Jasprit Bumrah For Success, Latter's Translation Wins Hearts

During the post-match presentation of the second India vs South Africa Test at Newlands in Cape Town, Jasprit Bumrah showed his humility. The ace pacer was working as a translator for Mohammed Siraj when the latter credit Bumrah for helping him during bowling. While translating it to English, Bumrah rather credited the experience of the duo and the team management. The humble act from Bumrah didn't go unnoticed as the fans widely shared the video of the interaction on social media.

Watch: Rohit Sharma's Animated Reaction After Taking Aiden Markram's Catch In Second Test vs South Africa

Emotions were heavily invested during the Indian cricket team's second and final Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Capetown. The guests suffered an innings-and-32-run drubbing in the first Test match in Centurion and this was their only chance to make up for it with a series-levelling win. Team India came with added energy and went on to win the game by 7 wickets that too within two days. What the win meant for the side was clearly visible when India skipper Rohit Sharma vented out his frustration with an animated celebration after taking the catch of Aiden Markram. The wicket more or less made sure that India had to chase a paltry total.

"Aap Karo Toh Chamatkar...": Virender Sehwag's Sharp Verdict On '107 Overs' Test

Former Indian cricket team opener Virender Sehwag gave his trademark witty verdict on India's win over South Africa in the second Test match in Cape Town that lasted for just 107 overs. It was the shortest Test match in the history of the sport and the visitors emerged victorious in a little more than four sessions of play. While no much was spoken about the pitch at Newlands, Ravi Shastri and Shaun Pollock did point out that it was not fit for Test cricket. Sehwag referred to earlier instances when Indian pitches have come under the scanner due to short Test matches and put his own unique spin on the conversation.

Watch: Virat Kohli's 'Bhangra' And 'Boxing' Poses After South Africa Test Win Go Viral

The second Test between India and South Africa turned out to be a memorable affair for all the cricket fans. From Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah's six-wicket hauls to India's historic seven-wicket win, this match broke several records. South Africa got bundled out for 176 in the second innings and gave a 79-run target to India, which they eventually chased down in 12 overs. Completed in only one and a half days, it also became the shortest Test match (642 ball) in the history of cricket.