NEW DELHI: After facing an innings defeat in the opening Test in Centurion, Team India made an impressive comeback to beat South Africa by 7 wickets in the second Test at Newlands to level the two-match series 1-1. Both the teams shared the trophy in the end.
The Cape Town match claimed the record for the shortest Test in history in terms of balls bowled, totaling 642 across 107 overs, concluding with a decisive outcome.
After the historic win, Team India batting star Virat Kohli gave his signed Test jersey to South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
1/9:Five shortest Tests in history: India's record-breaking victory
ANI
2/9:India's Historic Victory
India's victory in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town broke many records, most notably becoming the shortest completed Test match in the history of the game, lasting just 642 balls.PTI
3/9:1. Shortest Match in Test Cricket
The match at Newlands was the 2,522nd Test to be played since England met Australia in Melbourne in 1877. It was also the shortest.PTI
4/9:2. Previous Shortest Test Match
South Africa were also participants in the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1932 that previously held the record as they were dismissed for a combined total of 81 across their two innings.Getty Images
5/9:3. Bridgetown Test in 1935
England secured a four-wicket win over the West Indies in January 1935 in Bridgetown in a slightly bizarre game where both sides made tactical declarations to try and make the most of the bowler-friendly conditions.Agencies
6/9:4. Old Trafford Test in 1888
WG Grace top-scored with 38 as England caught Australia on a sticky track at Old Trafford to claim an innings victory in the 1888 Ashes.Agencies
7/9:5. Lord's Test in 1888
Just six weeks earlier the boot was on the other foot as Australia beat England by 61 runs at Lord's, 27 wickets falling on the second day, which remains a record for most wickets in a single day's Test cricket.Getty Images
8/9:Record-breaking Day 1 in Cape Town
Twenty-three wickets fell on the opening day as South Africa, who elected to bat first, were shot out before lunch for just 55. India were then dismissed for 153, losing their last six wickets for zero runs.PTI
9/9:Aiden Markram' Brilliant Century
The Proteas fared marginally better in the second dig with Aiden Markram scoring a brilliant century. But India knocked off the runs for a seven-wicket win, the match lasting just 107 overs.AFPMaharaj took to his Instagram account and shared the picture of him with Virat who gifted him his signed number 18 jersey.
"One for the Wall, Thank you @virat.kohli," the Proteas spinner wrote on Instagram while sharing the picture.
Earlier, in a heartwarming moment during the match, when Maharaj came to the crease accompanied by the tune of 'Ram Siya Ram', Virat, who was fielding at slips, welcomed him with a gesture of folded hands along with bow and arrow movements.
This delightful interaction between the Indian maestro and Maharaj resonated widely across social media, capturing a charming moment on the field.
