"Why We So Scared...": South Africa Great Spices Up Cape Town Pitch Talk After Rohit Sharma's "We All Saw What Happened" Statement

06.01.2024 - 06:10 sports.ndtv.com

India registered a series-levelling seven-wicket victory against South Africa in the shortest game ever played in Test history.

The match could not last for even two days despite both the sides coming to bat twice on the surface of Newlands, Cape Town -- the venue for the game.

With the pitch offering additional bounce to pacers, all the batters, barring Virat Kohli and Aiden Markram, failed to impress.

South Africa were bundled out for 55 runs in the first session while India were bowled out for 153 in reply. In their second innings, South Africa could post only 176, setting a 79-run target for the guests, which they achieved in 12 overs.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Aiden Markram Dale Steyn South Africa India county Dale

The second Test match between India and South Africa lasted less than two days as the Rohit Sharma-led side emerged victorious in the second session of Day 2. Following the match, the Newlands pitch came under the scanner as both experts and fans criticised it for the short duration of the match. However, legendary South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn had a different opinion as he said that pitches deteriorate over time and that cannot be blamed for a match getting over in under two days. He even went on to say that a 'Two day Test' is not a Test match at all.

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.

India vs South Africa: Kevin Pietersen Explains How 3rd Test Can Be Played Without Flight Delay

Following India's win over South Africa in the second Test that lasted for just 1.5 days, former England batter Kevin Pietersen poked fun at the match's duration, saying that there is enough time to play a series decider at Cape Town in order to have a true winner in this series. Bumrah's second-inning six-wicket haul made all the difference as, despite Aiden Markram's ton, South Africa could set only 79 for India to wrap up this Test in around 1.5 days, which India chased down successfully.

Jasprit Bumrah Surpasses Shane Warne In Elite List With 6-Wicket Haul In Cape Town

Jasprit Bumrah breathed fire on Thursday during the second and final Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. The right-arm pacer returned figures of 6 for 61 in 13.5 overs, helping India bundle out the Proteas for 176 in their second innings. India went on to win the game by 7 wickets. Bumrah's heroic show helped him surpass Australia's spin great Shane Warne and become the visiting bowler with the second-highest number of wickets in Test matches in Cape Town.

"On Such Type Of Wickets...": Sachin Tendulkar Delivers Ultimate Guide On Much-Criticised Cape Town Pitch

Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar credited Jasprit Bumrah's incisive bowling for the series-levelling seven-wicket win against South Africa in Cape Town on Thursday, saying the pacer was rewarded for consistently bowling in the channel. Bumrah produced a hostile spell of 6/61 in 13.5 overs as the Proteas were restricted to 176 in the second innings, setting India a mere 79-run target. India finished the job in 12 overs to record their first victory at Newlands in seven attempts.