NEW DELHI: India's Test victory over South Africa in just 1.5 days has sparked a humorous response from former England batter Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen suggested that there is enough time to play a series decider in Cape Town to determine a true winner.
India's decisive win was largely thanks to Jasprit Bumrah's outstanding six-wicket haul in the second innings. Despite Aiden Markram's century, South Africa could only set a target of 79 runs for India, which they successfully chased down.
Pietersen took to social media to share his lighthearted suggestion, saying, "There's enough time to play the 3rd and deciding Test match to start tomorrow in Cape Town. There'll absolutely be a result in the series and the players won't miss their scheduled flights home."
In the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. However, they were quickly dismissed for just 55 runs in 23.2 overs. Only Kyle Verreynne (15) and David Bedingham (12) managed to reach double digits. Mohammed Siraj's fiery spell of 6/15 wreaked havoc on South Africa's top and middle order, while Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) and Mukesh Kumar (0/2) also took wickets.
In their first innings, India looked promising at 153/4 with notable contributions from Virat Kohli (46), Rohit Sharma (39), and Shubman Gill (36). However, a three-wicket over by Lungi Ngidi caused India's downfall, as they were all out for 153 in 34.5 overs. Ngidi (3/30), Kagiso Rabada (3/38), and Nandre Burger (3/42) each claimed three wickets for South Africa.
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.AFPIn their second innings, South Africa ended day one at 62/3, with Aiden Markram (36*) leading the scoring. Captain Dean Elgar managed just 12 runs in his final Test innings. Mukesh Kumar took two wickets, while Bumrah took one.
On the following day, despite Markram's impressive century (106 off 103 balls), Bumrah's six-wicket haul (6/61) limited South Africa to 176 in 36.5 overs. This set India a target of just 79 runs for victory.
With solid contributions from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (28) and captain Rohit Sharma (16*), India comfortably chased down the target in 12 overs with seven wickets in hand. Siraj was awarded the 'Player of the Match' accolade, and both teams shared the trophy with the series tied at 1-1.
(With inputs from ANI)
