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Team India secured a historic win against South Africa in the second and final Test at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Thursday, January 4. This triumph marked India’s first-ever win at this venue and set a new record for the shortest Test match in cricket history, lasting only 642 balls.
Quick chase and record-breaking game
On the second day of the game, India needed 79 runs to win, and they successfully chased down the target with 7 wickets in hand. The brevity of the match became the talk of the town, as the contest wrapped up in record time.
Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill’s playful dance
Amidst the intense competition, a lighthearted moment during the opening day caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide. Just minutes before stumps on Day 1, Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill engaged in a playful dance, holding each other’s hands. The hilarious clip quickly went viral on social media, adding a fun element to the high-stakes match.
Also READ: 5 shortest matches in the history of Test cricket
Here is the video:
Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill ❤ pic.twitter.com/zT4Ik3JnvT
— Pull-Shot™ (@pullshotRo45) January 3, 2024
Match highlights
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, but their innings was marred by a stunning collapse, resulting in their lowest Test score since readmission, a mere 55 runs. Mohammed Siraj emerged as the hero for India, registering career-best figures of 6/15.
In reply, India suffered a surprising collapse from 153/4 to 153 all-out, with a record six batters dismissed for a duck. The second innings saw Aiden Markram‘s brilliant century (106 off 103 balls) helping South Africa post 176. Jasprit Bumrah played a crucial role for India, taking six wickets for 61 runs. India successfully chased down the 79-run target, completing the victory in just 12 overs and losing only three wickets.
