IND VS SA TESTS

Right then, that is it from the shortest Test in the history of cricket. India finally managed to defeat South Africa in Cape Town and Rohit Sharma became the first Indian captain to do so. The trophy has been handed over to him and the South African skipper Dean Elgar and both of them pose for pictures as this series is shared and the final frontier still stays unbreachable for India. The Indian team along with all the staff also pose for a team picture. The Men in Blue now shift their focus to the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The first game will be played on 11th January, Thursday at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT) while the South African players will join their respective teams for the SA20 which starts on 10th January, Wednesday. Until next time, cheers and goodbye!

Rohit Sharma, the victorious skipper of India gives an Indian jersey signed by all the players to Dean Elgar as a farewell gift. He says that he feels the bowlers bowled brilliantly and their plans worked. He also credits the batters to bat deep and get a lead in the first innings but is disappointed with the last 6 wickets that they lost for no runs. He appreciates Siraj for bowling a fiery spell and says that it was all about bowling the balls in the right areas. He mentions that South Africa has always been challenging but they are working on their performance while travelling to different countries. He credits South Africa for being such a good cricket team and is also proud of how his team performed. On Dean Elgar, he says that he is a tough batter to have in the opposition and they all appreciate how important he has been for his country and wish him the best for his future. He moves on to collect the trophy along with Dean Elgar as the series ends at 1-1.

Dean Elgar, the captain of South Africa says this was a tough defeat to take as they came into this game with higher expectations and momentum. He adds that a 2-0 result would've been nice. He further talks about the pitch and says it was a ripper but looked like a good wicket to the naked eye. He further concludes that he doesn't regret the decision to bat first considering the track record but unfortunately, they ended up on the receiving end.

The captain of South Africa, Dean Elgar, and Jasprit Bumrah are the JOINT PLAYERS OF THE SERIES. Elgar says he would have liked to do a bit more in this game but is happy with his performance overall. He further says that as a player one wants to test himself against the best and it was great to face off this Indian bowling lineup although he is happy to not have to face them again. He concludes that the baggy green he wore in this game was from 2012 and has lots of memories and it stays special. Bumrah says that this ground is special for him and it is good to win a match here. Adds that 2018 was a crucial year for the bowling unit and they started working on their bowling performance in overseas conditions. It has been a difficult road till here and mentions that bowling in South Africa has always proven to be tough. Mentions that he didn't expect the game to end in two days, and it is amazing how Test cricket always gives you surprises.

Mohammed Siraj is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his incredible bowling effort. Siraj says that it is good to get his best figures in Test cricket and he wanted to bowl in consistent areas. He mentions that he worked hard on improving his line and lengths since the last game and executed it well in this game. He mentions that Bumrah sets the tone for the pacers and it is fun to bowl alongside him. He further thanks his fans and asks them to keep supporting him.

Presentation Time...

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Dean Elgarr's decision backfired as the Indian pacers, led by Mohammed Siraj's career-best 6 for 15, bundled out South Africa for a mere 55 which was the lowest total by any team against India in Tests. Only Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham managed double figures. Post Lunch on Day 1, India seemed poised with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill steadying the ship. However, a shocking collapse saw them lose six wickets for no runs setting an unwanted record for them of losing the most number of wickets on the same score as they were bowled out for 153. Despite Virat Kohli and KL Rahul's partnership, South Africa's Lungi Ngidi's triple-wicket maiden post-Tea swung the momentum their way, restricting India's lead to 98 runs.

There was anticipation that Day 2 of this Test would turn out to be the Final Day and that is exactly what happened but there was no shortage of entertainment. It all started with Jasprit Bumrah getting an early wicket in the very first over. A couple of poor shot selections mixed with some excellent catching saw the Proteas reeling at 111 for 7. However, just when the visitors were looking in control, KL Rahul dropped Aiden Markram on 73 which made the batter take an ultra-aggressive approach. He smashed Prasidh Krishna all over the park in the next over and then registered a scintillating hundred on a  pitch where no other batter could even cross the 50-run mark. He dedicated this century to his skipper, Dean Elgar who bids adieu to international cricket. His solo fight came to an end when he was dismissed on 106 and the tail couldn't wag much as they only managed to set up a target of 79 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a quick-fire start along with Rohit Sharma to India and almost cut the deficit in half. They did lose, Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, but the captain stayed unbeaten on 17 while Shreyas Iyer hit the winning runs to seal the victory.

INDIA CREATE HISTORY! It was January 2021 when India breached the 'Fortress Gabba' after 32 years and now in January 2024, they have managed to breach Newlands in Cape Town. In doing so, they become the first-ever Asian team to defeat South Africa on this ground. The Men in Blue also level the two-match series and have achieved this feat for the first time since 2011. This Test also becomes the quickest one to end in the history of cricket in terms of balls, as it took only 642 legitimate balls to get us a result.

FOUR! Shreyas Iyer seals the deal and India have levelled the series. Marco Jansen delivers it full and on the stumps. Shreyas Iyer lofts it straight down the ground and all the fielders are stationed within the 30-yard circle. The ball meets the fence and India win the final Test match by 7 wickets. We bid Dean Elgar farewell and so do all the players from both teams. Quite an emotional moment on the ground for Elgar as he fights back his tears. India still failed to win a Test series on South African soil but they do well to level this one. A historic win for India, their first in Cape Town.

Full and outside off. Shreyas Iyer reaches for it and drives it to mid off. Oh No! Marco Jansen has overstepped and the umpire signals a No-Ball. Jansen will have to re-bowl it.

A spicy bouncer that kept climbing. Shreyas Iyer is left clueless by this one as he hops and fends it off the gloves just short of the slip cordon.

Banged in short over off. Shreyas Iyer pulls but doesn't find the connection needed. The keeper manages to get a glove on it and prevents extra runs.

On the hard length around off. Shreyas Iyer blocks it off his back foot on the off side.

Fuller, and on the stumps. Shreyas Iyer blocks it from the crease into the ground.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! An excellent review from South Africa and Virat Kohli will not be able to stay unbeaten here. Marco Jansen lands this short of a length and down the leg side, Virat Kohli tries to finish things off and goes for the hook but misses as the ball passes very close to his gloves and Kyle Verreynne moves to his left to grab it. There is an appeal but it is turned down. The South African players look confident and Elgar takes the review. It turns out to be a great decision as UltraEdge shows a spike when the ball is near the gloves. Kohli smiles and walks back to the hut as the on-field call is overturned. Shreyas Iyer is the next man in with India just one hit away from the win now!

A fraction fuller, angling into the right-hander, Virat Kohli walks down the pitch again and tucks it to mid on for a single.