India claimed the upper hand at the end of a chaotic first day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
The tourists need to win to level the two-match series and they dominated the opening session, dismissing the hosts for just 55 before lunch – Mohammad Siraj taking six for 15 in a stunning display of fast bowling.
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India looked set to press home their advantage in the afternoon session and were coasting along at 153 for four only to lose six wickets for no runs, a remarkable collapse that had never been seen before in 2522 Test matches.
The inimitable Ravi Shastri describing India’s collapse in a way only he can.PIC.TWITTER.COM/IQB43LKRDJ
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) JANUARY 3, 2024
In their second innings, the Proteas moved to 62 for three by the close – still trailing by 36 runs.
Opener Aiden Markram finally brought some sanity to proceedings with an unbeaten 36 but Dean Elgar, captaining South Africa on his final Test appearance, was back in the shed, dismissed twice in a day for a combined total of 16.
Only three other players moved past 30 – Indian trio Rohit Sharma (39), Shubman Gill (36) and Virat Kohli (46).
An ASTOUNDING first day of Test cricket at Newlands comes to an end😅
7️⃣5️⃣ Overs
2️⃣7️⃣0️⃣ Runs
2️⃣3️⃣ Wickets🇿🇦 #PROTEAS trail by 36 runs
Edge of the seat stuff 🤯#WOZANAWE #BEPARTOFIT #SAVIND PIC.TWITTER.COM/XECJQH8RP0
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) JANUARY 3, 2024
Asked if he would opt to bat again having won the toss, Elgar said: “I didn’t know it would play in that way, with the naked eye it did not look so bad.
“But it’s one of those wickets where if you knuckle down, you never know what can happen.”
Elgar believes if his side can set India a victory target of just 100, South Africa would be right in the contest.
“I would take 100 (victory target) all day,” he added. “When our bowlers click they can rip through any batting line-up and on this wicket that is possible.”
