India’s Siraj hammers South Africa; hosts bowled out for 55

Unbelievable stuff and a fitting reply by the Indian side as they ran over the batting order of South Africa within the first session of the first day of the second Test in Cape Town on Wednesday. South Africa are all-out for just 55 runs.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar lauded pacer Mohammad Siraj after the latter bowled a superb spell on the first day of the second Test.

South Africa were bowled out for only 55 runs in the first innings with Siraj the chief destroyer with the ball. The right-armer bagged six wickets for 15 runs while bowling nine overs on the trot.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Tendulkar was full of praise for the talented speedster.

Siraj weaving magic at Newlands! Impeccable length and a spellbinding display of seam bowling!#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/keq8mJQLat

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 3, 2024

Siraj claimed the wickets of Dean Elgar (4), Aiden Markram (2), Tony de Zorzi (2), David Bedingham (12), Kyle Verreynne (15) and Marco Jansen (0).

Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar also clinched two wickets each.

Apart from David Bedingham (12) and Kyle Verreynne (15), none of the Proteas batters could get into double figures.

The 55 scored by South Africa is the lowest-ever total by any team against India in Test history.

This was also the lowest score after choosing to bat at home by South Africa since 1889.

Earlier, South Africa captain Dean Elgar opted to bat first in the second and final Test against India at Newlands on Wednesday. The hosts were eyeing a series sweep against the number one side in the world.

South Africa made three changes to the team after winning the first Test by an innings and 32 runs in Pretoria.

Middle order batter Tristan Stubbs makes his debut in the place of injured regular captain Temba Bavuma.

Super bowling from #Siraj today #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/SofEtRR3Qb

— Aryan (@chinchat09) January 3, 2024

Spinner Keshav Maharaj received his 50th cap in the place of injured Gerald Coetzee and seamer Lungi Ngidi replaced Keegan Petersen.

"It looks an interesting wicket, a few snakes in it, hopefully it comes to the fore when we bowl," Elgar said. "It is a big hurdle for us and a big test, this is our marquee game for the season. We have to start well."

Indian captain Rohit Sharma admitted he would have batted first had he won the toss as the visitors made two changes.

Fit again left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja replaces Ravichandran Ashwin, while seamer Mukesh Kumar comes features instead of Shardul Thakur.

"There will be enough in the pitch for the seamers, so hopefully we can cash in on it," Rohit said. "It is important for us to forget what has happened in the past, it is about the present."

The match is a final in his 12-year Test career for Elgar, who decided to bring the curtain down ahead of the series.

Teams

South Africa: Dean Elgar (capt.), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

India: Rohit Sharma (capt.), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar.