SA Lowest Test Score: Mohammed Siraj pulverised South African batters during the opening innings of the final and second Test match at Newlands Stadium on Wednesday, 3 January.

With bowling figures of 9-3-15-6, he managed to dismiss South Africa for just 55 runs during this crucial innings of this decisive Test contest.

India staged an impressive comeback following their humiliating loss in the first Test match. Thanks to India’s excellent bowling performance, South Africa was limited to only 55 runs, the lowest total ever against India – being bowled out within 23 overs for just 55 runs. 

South Africa’s record for lowest first-innings total was not broken on this day, as in 1932, Australia bowled them out for only 36 runs.

Indian pacers were in stunning form in the first session and took all ten wickets within that session. Jasprit Bhumrah took two wickets, and Mukesh Kumrah 2.2-2-0-2.

South Africa was more cautious despite their aggressiveness, scoring 62 runs in the second innings to narrow their deficit by 36 runs. Aiden Markram (32) stood out as a strong presence at bat.

In 1902, the maximum number of wickets lost on Day One was 25. Dean Elgar may wish he could forget his two dismissals on one day during his last test match;

Mukesh Kumah (2/0, 2/25), however, was awarded an impressive score due to consistently pitching to the right areas while providing enough movement away from southpaw batters.

The chances of this match extending into its third day are remote. The red Kookaburra Ball took off like an aeroplane from its distance, rendering it impossible for batters to survive on Newlands pitches with steep bounce.As the day wore on, its bounce became less predictable.

Rohit Sharma (39 from 50 balls) played riskily but scored seven fours, knowing survival wouldn’t help him. Virat Kohli (46) and Shubman Gill (36) Gill also demonstrated the right intentions in their respective performances.

Yashasvi Iyer and Shreyas Jaiswal from “Khadoos School of Mumbai Cricket” were once again exposed for their technical ineptitude.

South Africa Lowest Test Total Against India

South Africa was unable to cope with India’s bowling attack that day. It quickly succumbed to defeat, while India managed to regroup after such a humiliation.

India’s bowling attack had come under heavy criticism in their previous test match. They changed their bowling attack twice on that day – adding Ravindra Jadeja and Mukesh Kumna and dropping Shardul Thakur as pacers dominated Protea’s first innings. Hence, no spinner was available to bowl.

Cape Town leads all test match venues with nine dismissals for teams scoring 55 runs or fewer in Test matches, including today’s game. Lord’s is not far behind with six such incidents in their history – in total, there have been 36 instances.

India completed their innings against South Africa in 22 overs, 139 balls. India finished them off, becoming only the 11th team ever in Test history to do so. Siraj became only the second Indian after SA to take five wickets in one day.

Mohammed Siraj became only the second Indian player ever to take five wickets by lunchtime on the opening day of a Test match, recording his best bowling stats (6 for 15) overall compared to all his predecessors in test cricket history.

South Africa were defeated by just 55 runs at Cape Town Stadium. Siraj became only the second Indian bowler after South Africa to take five wickets in one day.

Mohammed Siraj became only the second Indian player ever to take five wickets before lunchtime on day one of a Test match by picking up six for 15 bowling stats – outshone only by South Africa by 55 runs at Cape Town Stadium this Wednesday.

A Special Spell by Indian Pacers

Maninder Singh remains the only Indian to have taken five wickets against Pakistan at Bengaluru during the 1986-1987 Test series, doing so during a Test against this rival nation at Bengaluru in 1986-1987.

Siraj’s masterclass of pace, swing, and seam movement on a humid Wednesday morning demonstrated to South African batters what an equaliser cricket could be; their innings were complete in only 23.2 overs.

David Bedingham (12) and Kyle Verreynne (15) were the only batters who reached double figures, leaving South African fans stunned to silence in the stands.

Rohit Sharma made good on his promise of making Dean Elgar’s farewell test unpleasant by applying pressure to Jasprit Bumrah (2/25).

Mukesh has also demonstrated that in these circumstances, he is superior to Shardul Thakur, who had little direct power or influence in government.

Indian fans would have been stunned at such an astounding turnaround by their bowlers after being heavily criticised for conceding over 400 runs at Centurion in an innings defeat.

Siraj played long-distance tennis of between 4-6 metres, returning most balls into play. Bumrah attacked from one end while Rohit took control of all attacking fields. Rohit stood at the short end when Siraj first bowled his delivery.

Markram began the procession by going on a “fishing expedition” with an off-break delivery that moved through the air while remaining close to his bat face. Yashasvi Jaiswal made an incredible catch at third slip to send Markram back.

Elgar was quite tentative, playing an aggressive shot straight to his stumps after Siraj angled a full-length delivery toward him and giving too little room for a cut shot. Bumrah caught young Tristan Stubbs and, using a short leg, managed to secure his catch.

Tony De Zorzi was caught exposing himself on his leg side, taking advantage of his tendency to whip the balls off his hips by whipping his legs up quickly. David Bedingham was persuaded to experiment with long drives, and their extra bounce proved effective.

As soon as Marco Jansen caught Siraj, it was clear that South Africa would face one of their most humiliating mornings since returning to international cricket.

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