Indian cricket team's pace bowler Mohammed Siraj ran riot at Newlands, Capetown as his six-wicket haul ensured South Africa were all out for 55 in the first session of the first day of the second Test match on Wednesday, January 3, 2023. Siraj registered his best bowling figures in Test cricket as Proteas were bundled out for their lowest score against India, in Test cricket. (RSA Vs IND Scorecard | Match Blog)
Earlier, the Proteas' lowest score in Tests since their re-entry was 73, that came in 2018 against Sri Lanka at Galle. Against India, their lowest score was 79.
South Africa's Test isolation ranged from 1970 to 1991 but the Proteas marked their return to international cricket with a series against India for a three-match ODI series. India went on to win the series 2-1.
Siraj's bowling wrecks havoc in Proteas' camp
After losing the toss to South African skipper Dean Elgar, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma would have thought the Newlands' pitch could aide the fast bowlers since it's a fresh pitch. And so it did! Siraj got Aiden Markram caught in the third slip by Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Siraj continued to make inroads as he forced Elgar to drag the ball back onto his stumps. His line and lengths were pin-point accurate as he scalped the wickets of David Bedingham and Marco Jansen.
Siraj bowling records over the years
| Years | Matches | Inns | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | 5w | 10w |
| Year 2020 | 1 | 2 | 36.3 | 8 | 77 | 5 | 3/37 | 5/77 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 2021 | 10 | 19 | 292.5 | 63 | 929 | 31 | 5/73 | 8/126 | 3.17 | 1 | 0 |
| Year 2022 | 4 | 8 | 94.2 | 11 | 392 | 10 | 4/66 | 4/87 | 4.15 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 2023 | 7 | 11 | 146.1 | 25 | 477 | 15 | 5/60 | 5/84 | 3.26 | 1 | 0 |
| Year 2024 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 6/15 | 6/15 | 1.66 | 1 | 0 |
Tony de Zorzi glanced down the leg-side as the southpaw edged to the keeper to give Siraj one of the easiest wickets in the session.
This is Siraj's third five-wicket haul in this 23-match Test career. At 6/15, this has been the best bowling figures for the 29-year-old India pacer, who bowled nine overs on the trot from the other end.
Siraj blowing away teams is nothing new in cricket. Back in September 2023, the Asia Cup final, the 29-year-old blew away hosts Sri Lanka for mere 50 runs as he scalped the best bowling figures in ODIs of 6/21.
ALSO READ: Asia Cup '23 Final: Siraj Scalps Fifer In 16 Balls
South Africa's Lowest 1st Innings Total In Test Match Cricket
| Team | Score | Overs | RR | Inns | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| South Africa | 55 | 23.2 | 2.36 | 1 | v India | Cape Town | 3 Jan 2024 |
| South Africa | 73 | 28.5 | 2.53 | 4 | v Sri Lanka | Galle | 12 Jul 2018 |
| South Africa | 79 | 33.1 | 2.38 | 2 | v India | Nagpur | 25 Nov 2015 |
| South Africa | 83 | 33.1 | 2.5 | 3 | v England | Johannesburg | 14 Jan 2016 |
| South Africa | 84 | 25.1 | 3.33 | 2 | v India | Johannesburg | 15 Dec 2006 |
| South Africa | 95 | 49.2 | 1.92 | 1 | v New Zealand | Christchurch | 17 Feb 2022 |
| South Africa | 96 | 24.3 | 3.91 | 2 | v Australia | Cape Town | 9 Nov 2011 |
| South Africa | 99 | 37.4 | 2.62 | 3 | v Australia | Brisbane | 17 Dec 2022 |
| South Africa | 105 | 38.5 | 2.7 | 4 | v India | Ahmedabad | 20 Nov 1996 |
| South Africa | 109 | 39.5 | 2.73 | 4 | v India | Mohali | 5 Nov 2015 |
| South Africa | 111 | 41.4 | 2.66 | 3 | v New Zealand | Christchurch | 17 Feb 2022 |
Best Bowling Returns For India In South Africa
Siraj's 6/15 ranks third in the list for Indian bowlers' best bowling returns in the Rainbow Nation-
7/61 - Shardul Thakur, Johannesburg, 2022
7/120 - Harbhajan Singh, Cape Town, 2011
*6/15 - Mohammed Siraj, Cape Town, 2024
6/53 - Anil Kumble, Johannesburg, 1992
6/76 - Javagal Srinath, Gqeberha, 2001
6/138 - Ravindra Jadeja Durban, 2013
