How India bounced back to level the series against South Africa in a thrilling Test match
India defeated South Africa by 7 wickets in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town, to level the three-match series 1-1. The match lasted only two days and 12 overs, making it the shortest Test match in terms of balls bowled in the history of the game.
India’s bowling brilliance
The match was dominated by the bowlers from both sides, as the pitch offered plenty of seam movement, bounce and variable bounce. India’s pace quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj exploited the conditions superbly, bowling out South Africa for a paltry 55 in the first innings. Bumrah and Siraj shared seven wickets between them, while Shami and Thakur chipped in with one each.
India’s first innings was also a struggle, as they were dismissed for 153, giving them a lead of 98 runs. South Africa’s debutant Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets, while Kagiso Rabada took three. Only Ravichandran Ashwin showed some resistance, scoring 46 off 50 balls.
South Africa fared slightly better in their second innings, scoring 176, thanks to a fighting 62 from Keegan Petersen and a quickfire 51 from Temba Bavuma. However, they were undone by Thakur, who claimed a career-best 7 for 61, his second five-wicket haul in Tests. Bumrah and Shami took the other three wickets.
India’s chase and series decider
India were set a target of 79 to win the match and level the series. They lost three early wickets, as Rabada and Jansen struck in quick succession. However, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship and took India home with an unbeaten 52-run partnership. Pujara scored 34 not out, while Rahane made 28 not out.
India’s win was their first at Newlands, and their third in South Africa. It also set up an exciting series decider at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, starting from January 11. Both teams will be eager to clinch the Freedom Trophy, which India currently hold after winning the previous series in 2018.
