In a display of exceptional cricket, Rohit Sharma's Team India secured a historic seven-wicket win at Newlands, Cape Town, marking a milestone as he became the first Asian captain to secure a Test win at this venue. The triumph unfolded over five eventful sessions, with the pitch presenting a significant challenge to the batters.
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The match was particularly notable for Dean Elgar's farewell Test. Amidst the challenging conditions, only South Africa's Aiden Markram managed to master the pitch, scoring a rapid century off just 99 balls. Despite Markram's commendable effort, his century ultimately proved insufficient against India's determined chase.
India successfully pursued the modest target of 79 runs in just 12 overs, concluding the match with seven wickets still in hand. This achievement not only underscored the team's batting prowess but also set a new record in the annals of Test cricket.
The victory in Cape Town was remarkable for its swift conclusion, breaking the record for the fewest number of overs required to win a Test match. This record was previously held by a Test match played in February 1932 between South Africa and Australia. In that historic encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia clinched the match by an innings and 72 runs in a total of 109.2 overs. India's win in Cape Town surpassed this record, wrapping up the match in a mere 107 overs.
With the victory, India secured 12 important points and took their tally to 26 points in the World Test Championship standings. India jumped to the top spot in the points table as they have won two of the four matches played in the current cycle. India have lost one and drawn one match.
World Test Championship (WTC) Points Table
Position | Teams | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Draw | Tied | Points | Percentage |
1 | India | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 54.16 |
2 | South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50 |
3 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50 |
4 | Australia | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 50 |
5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50 |
6 | Pakistan | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 45.83 |
7 | West Indies | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 |
8 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 15 |
9 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
This win at Newlands is not just a significant achievement for Rohit and his team but also a momentous occasion in Test cricket history. It reflects India's growing prowess in international cricket and marks a new chapter in the team's success story, especially in overseas conditions.
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