The Newlands pitch wasn’t the only headline maker during the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa that got underway on Wednesday.
Ravi Shastri provided a memorable moment from the commentary box by summing up India’s stunning batting collapse that saw them lose six wickets without the addition of a single run in response to South Africa’s 55-all out.
“Yes 153/4, 153 all out. If someone went around the corner for a dump and has come back, India has been bowled out for 153.” Shastri said on-air as the players were leaving the field following the end of India’s first innings in Cape Town.
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What transpired on the field was even more memorable as 23 wickets fell on the Day 1 with Newlands pitch being criticised by South Africa batting coach for its inconsistent bounce.
South Africa captain Dean Elgar won the toss and opted to bat first with the hosts eyeing a 2-0 series sweep having beaten India by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test last week.
However, Mohammed Siraj delivered a spell from hell to finish with stunning figures of 6/15 from nine overs as South Africa were bundled out for 55 in their first innings.
India lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the third over itself and with the pitch still being a nightmare, the tourists decided to counterpunch by looking for boundaries. The strategy worked well as their captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill led a superb recover with a quick 55-run partnership or the second wicket.
India continued to make a quick progress reaching 153/4 in 33 overs when the dismissal of KL Rahul by Lungi Ngidi triggered a scarcely believable collapse.
India lost their final six wickets with the score static on 153 but by then they had taken a 98-run lead.
At stumps, India were still in the box seat having taken down three South Africa batters for 62 runs.
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