This was only the fourth instance of South Africa losing both their openers for single-digit scores in an innings in 42 home Tests. In the process, Mohammed Siraj notched up his best-ever Test bowling figures
Bowlers gave India a dream start on Day 1 of the must-win second and final Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Wednesday. After 18 overs, the Proteas were languishing at 45/7 with Mohammed Siraj claiming sensational figures of 6/15 in nine overs. India lost the first Test by an innings to compromise their bid to conquer the so-called 'Final Frontier'. (RSA Vs IND Scorecard | Match Blog)
Retiring Proteas captain Dean Elgar won the toss and promptly opted to bat first, probably considering the Newlands streak where India are yet to register a win. But the 36-year-old's call backfired in no time as Siraj had Aiden Markram caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal for two runs in the fourth over. The Indian pacer then cleaned Elgar for four in his next over, leaving the hosts reeling at 8/2 in 5.3 overs.
India's pace-spearhead Jasprit Bumrah accounted for talented Tristan Stubbs in the ninth, caught by skipper Rohit Sharma, for three runs. In the next over, Siraj removed Tony de Zorzi for a couple, courtesy of one fine take by wicket-keeper KL Rahul.
Siraj and Jaiswal combined again after the break to remove David Bedingham for 12 runs -- the first South Africa batter on Day 1 of the second RSA vs IND Test to reach double-figures. Siraj, 29, then completed his third Test fifer with the wicket of Marco Jansen, caught behind, for a three-ball duck. The Hyderabadi's figures read: 8-3-9-5!
In the process, Indian bowlers recorded a unique feat: Only the fourth instance of South Africa losing both their openers for single-digit scores in an innings in 42 home Tests since the start of the 2014-15 season. In fact, the last three instances had also come against India - two at the same venue in 2018 and 2022, and the other in Johannesburg in 2018.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar
South Africa: Dean Elgar(c), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi