Updated World Test Championship Table: India Lose Top Spot After Crushing Defeat To South Africa, Slip To...

28.12.2023 - 17:37 sports.ndtv.com

Intimidated by pace and scarred by extra bounce, an under-prepared India suffered an embarrassing innings and 32 run loss to a far superior South Africa in the opening Test which ended inside three days at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Having scored 245 in the first innings, the Indian batters managed only 131 in 34.1 overs in the second innings after South Africa managed a handsome 408 in its first essay.

South Africa thus took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series and India's dreams of winning a Test series in Rainbow Nation for the first time in 31 years lay in tatters.

The crushing loss saw India slip to the fifth position from the top spot in the updated World Test Championship (2023-25) table.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Test Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Kl Rahul South Africa India

The Newlands pitch has been in the headlines ever since the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa saw a whopping 23 wickets fall. As game resumed on the second day, India struck early, with Jasprit Bumrah sending back David Bedingham. However, not longer after the Proteas lost their 4th wicket of the second innings, play came to a brief halt as India pacer Mukesh Kumar complained of a hole in the pitch where his foot was landing while bowling. Though India captain Rohit Sharma downplayed the situation, hammers came out as the ground staff looked to resolve the matter.

India vs South Africa: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's DRS Discussion In Second Test Has Internet In Splits For 'Wrong' Language

With just one wicket to go and three reviews remaining, the Indian cricket team decided to make use of their resources, although knowing that the result was unlikely to come in their favour. Mohammed Siraj hit South Africa's Nandre Burger high on the right right, on Day 2 of the second Test at Cape Town, but the umpire had little interest in rewarding Team India's appeal. However, realising that India have three DRS calls to spare, Rohit contemplated going for a review, after a brief discussion with teammates, but eventually decided against taking it.

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.

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.

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

Watch: Major Injury Averted After Ball Hits Virat Kohli On The Face During Dramatic India vs South Africa Test

Fielding in the slips is never easy, with deliveries coming at pace after edging the blades of batters. On occasions, players fielding in the slips get hit on the body while attempting to catch or stop a ball. That is what happened with India star Virat Kohli in the second Test of the series against South Africa in Cape Town. The ball kissed the bat of Proteas batter David Bedingham's bat before awkwardly falling in front of Kohli. The India star tried to stop the ball but it bounced off his hand and hit him in the face.