The second Test between India and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, lived up to its billing as a clash of titans, albeit in an unexpected manner. It was a day of dramatic swings, where brilliance gave way to bewilderment, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Mohammed Siraj, the fiery Indian pacer, unleashed a potent spell, ripping through the South African top order like a tornado.
Within eight overs, six Proteas wickets lay scattered, his trademark swing and seam causing havoc. Bumrah and Kumar joined the party, skittling out the rest for a paltry 55, sending a roar of jubilation through the Indian camp.
The tables turned, however, with the Indian batting mirroring South Africa’s earlier capitulation. Having cruised to 105/2, a mini-collapse sparked by Gill and Iyer’s departures saw them teetering at 110/4. Kohli and Rahul’s cautious partnership offered a semblance of stability, but Rahul’s unfortunate dismissal proved to be the catalyst for chaos.
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In a whirlwind 15-minute episode, Ngidi’s venomous fast bowling claimed Rahul, Jadeja, and Bumrah in quick succession. Rabada then found Kohli’s edge, sending him back for a painstakingly crafted 46. A mix-up between Krishna and Siraj ended the latter’s stay short of his crease, and Prasidh followed suit shortly after. The last six wickets tumbled in an astonishing 11 deliveries, India collapsing from 153/4 to a humiliating all-out for 153.
The scenes were bewildering. What looked like a commanding position evaporated into thin air, leaving a 98-run first-innings lead that felt far less than it could have been. The Proteas’ pace trio, Rabada, Ngidi, and Burger, shared the spoils with three wickets apiece, but it was India’s own fragility that truly stole the show.
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This dramatic first day sets the stage for a nerve-wracking Test. Whether India can capitalize on their lead and bounce back from this shocking implosion, or whether South Africa can seize the momentum and stage a comeback, remains to be seen. This Cape Town cauldron promises to boil over even further in the days to come, leaving cricket fans glued to their screens, anticipating the next twist in this enthralling encounter.
Insane PR
Gill made 36 rohit made 39
But only Kohli fought hard#SAvsIND #EpsteinClientList https://t.co/BkOKxpWpMg— Janty (@Utd_janty) January 3, 2024
Disaster!!! Absolute Disaster!!! #SAvsIND
— Toothless (@toothlessNUB) January 3, 2024
0 W 0 W W – Rabada next over and India all out for 153 🤯🤯🤯#BBL13 #SAvIND #SAvsIND #INDvSA #INDvsSA https://t.co/WfGhOEZgfq
— TCTV Cricket (@tctv1offl) January 3, 2024
Yeh kaisa Test Match hai aisa lagta hai ki Result 1st Day hi aajayega 😂😂🤣🤣#SAvsIND #SouthAfrica #India #TeamIndia #TestCricket #CapeTown
— Rahul Patel (@iRahulPatel17) January 3, 2024
Virat Kohli 🥺💔
LEADER VIRAT KOHLI 👑
India vs South Africa 2nd Test Match.#INDvSA #SAvsIND #ViratKohli𓃵 #SpiderMan2 #JUNGKOOK #NewYear #NewYear2024 #BitcoinETF #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/9uhtzFITN7— Shivendra Yadav (@Shivvvydv08) January 3, 2024
Kohli don’t deserve this team he should play for Australia 👍🏻👍🏻#SAvsIND #SAvIND #INDvsSA
— Jay Thakkar (@jay_thakkar19) January 3, 2024
5 wickets In 9 balls!!!! South Africa caught life again!!! We back in this match BIG TIME!!!
Excellent FIGHT BACK!!!!
IND 153-9 (98 Lead) #SAvsIND
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) January 3, 2024
Wow India have lost 6 wickets for 0 runs!.
This is unbelievably nuts. Horrendous batting! #SAvsInd— Sullivan Noronha (@NoronhaSullivan) January 3, 2024
Last 6 Indian wickets fell for no runs #SAvsIND
— Akash (@akashkedia84) January 3, 2024
India are the first team to lose 6 wickets without scoring a run in a Test innings.
— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) January 3, 2024
Both teams got all-out within 58.1 overs and no one is talking about the pitch. I guess we aren’t playing in India that’s why. #SAvIND #SAvsIND
— Eden Kasukar (@CaptainEden25) January 3, 2024