India secured a commanding seven-wicket triumph over South Africa in Cape Town, earning 12 crucial points and claiming the coveted top spot in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
The victory proved to be a pivotal turnaround for India, who faced a challenging situation after South Africa took an early lead in the series. With an unassailable 1-0 lead for the Proteas, India entered the second Test with the determination to bounce back and seize their only opportunity to stay in the competition.
The series had begun with South Africa leading the WTC25 standings, but the tables turned swiftly after India’s stellar performance in Cape Town. The loss saw South Africa’s win percentage drop to 50 percent, placing them on par with New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.
The second Test witnessed a dramatic turn of events, starting with India’s impressive bowling performance on the first day.
The visitors bowled out South Africa for a mere 55 runs, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. However, India’s batting line-up experienced a sudden collapse, going from 153/4 to 153 all out.
Despite the batting setback, India’s bowlers, led by the exceptional Jasprit Bumrah, continued to shine in the second innings. Bumrah’s sensational five-wicket haul played a pivotal role in restricting South Africa to 176 runs. Aiden Markram’s remarkable century was the saving grace for the hosts, preventing a more dire situation.
In pursuit of a modest 79-run target, India’s batters exhibited a positive start and efficiently wrapped up the chase within 12 overs, securing their second win in the current WTC cycle. However, the process was not without its challenges, as India lost three wickets along the way.
The Test match made history by becoming the shortest completed Test in terms of the number of balls bowled, breaking a 92-year-old record.
With only 642 balls required for the match to reach a result, it surpassed the previous record set in a 1932 Australia vs. South Africa Test, which took 656 balls.
As the World Test Championship cycle progresses, India now looks ahead to their upcoming home Test series against England, scheduled to commence on 25 January.
With five matches on the horizon, India aims to capitalize on the momentum gained in Cape Town and secure additional points in the pursuit of WTC glory.