Mohammed Siraj delivered the opening blow, catching Markram at the third slip by Yashasvi Jaiswal. As the southpaw gained an inside edge back onto his stumps, he also managed to take out the centurion Elgar from the previous game.
After captain Dean Elgar chose to bat first at Newlands, Cape Town, India had an incredible start to the second Test match against South Africa, getting the hosts all out for 55 runs on the opening day. With his best bowling stats of 6/15 in nine overs during Tests, Mohammed Siraj was at his imperious best. South Africa’s openers, Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar, got off to a cautious start on the first day, scoring five runs in the first three overs.
On the other end, Jasprit Bumrah also made his mark by dismissing Tony de Zorzi, who was reeling at 15/4 after Mohammed Siraj strangled him down the leg side, and debutant Tristan Stubbs, who Rohit Sharma caught at short leg.
The right-arm seamer went on to dismiss Kyle Verreyne (15), David Bedingham (12), and Marco Jansen (0), recording the highest figures of his Test career with 6/15 in nine overs. Notably, it was his third career fifer after he had previously selected 5/73 in Brisbane in 2021 and 5/60 in Port of Spain in 2023 against the West Indies.
Since 1933, South Africa’s test results have been the lowest.
While Mukesh Kumar dismissed Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada to record his best numbers in Tests of 2/0, Jasprit Bumrah also removed Nandre Burger to conclude with stats of 2/25 in eight overs. The consequence was that India went into lunch decisively ahead of the Proteas, who were bowled out for 55 in 23.2 overs.
Notably, South Africa’s score was their lowest since 1933 and the eighth lowest in Test history. Reactions to India’s incredible bowling session were all over the place at the same time. Listed below are a few posts:
Mohammed Siraj has great skills and a big heart, showcasing the spirit of perseverance in the face of challenges. Take a bow, miyan @mdsirajofficial #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/IKMD8XwV8x
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 3, 2024
All five wickets of Miyan Siraj ⚡☄️🌪️#SAvsIND #ViratKohli #Siraj Fiferpic.twitter.com/X6O7PfiuBA
— Biscotti (@biscotti269) January 3, 2024
Some were going back to pre 2014 era, some were saying he is not test captain material. To all those nostalgia merchants Rohit Sharma’s team India has just bundled out Sa under 55 here in Capetown!#INDvsSA #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/BLq3BQ6Aq1
— ✧ (@sassy_leo___) January 3, 2024
Mohammad Siraj ✊🏼🪄.. What aggression🔥 #SAvsIND
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) January 3, 2024
Credits to Siraj for this amazing bowling performance. 🔥#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/xKuUUEZJF0
— Rhythmmmm (@ridzz__7614) January 3, 2024
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