South Africa and India became a part of history when they played the shortest-ever game in Test cricket at the Newlands in Cape Town on January 4, 2024. The match lasted till five sessions and 642 balls wherein India defeated South Africa by seven wickets, to level the two-match Test series 1-1. With this, it also became the shortest-ever Test match in terms of balls with a result. Total 107 overs were bowled in that game, and 33 wickets fell in just two days.
Talking about the match, India stunned South Africa in the first innings as they were bowled out for just 55 runs in 23.2 overs. Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj registered the best figures of his Test career, and took six scalps conceding just 15 runs in nine overs. Along with him, Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar scalped two wickets each.
Aiden Markram scored fighting hundred in shortest Test match in history
In reply to South Africa’s 55-run total, India were bowled out for 153 runs after losing their final six wickets without scoring a run, taking a lead of 98 runs in the first innings. Virat Kohli was top scorer with 46(59) runs, while skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored 39 and 36 respectively. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Nandre Burger scalped 3-3 wickets each. After that, Aiden Markram turned out to be a lone warrior for South Africa with his fighting ton in the second innings.
Aiden Markram top scored in the second innings with a knock of 106(103) runs with 17 fours and two sixes, while the second highest score of the innings was just 12 runs. However, despite, Markram’s heroics, South Africa were bowled out for 179 runs, giving India a target of 79 runs to win the match. Jasprit Bumrah registered figures of 6/61, while Mukesh Kumar took two, while Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj scalped a wicket each. After that, India chased the winning target in 12 overs, losing three wickets finishing the shortest Test match in history.
