Star pacer Mohammed Siraj delivered an unforgettable bowling performance, leading India to dismiss South Africa for just 55 runs, their lowest score against visitors, before lunch on the first day of the second Test. Siraj, in a continuous spell of nine overs, achieved his career-best figures of 6/15. The South African batters struggled to settle on the pitch, failing to handle the unsettling bounce and the movement, both inward and outward, that Siraj skillfully produced from the pitch.
It was a remarkable day that saw 23 wickets fall, leaving South Africa trailing India by 36 runs with seven wickets left in their second innings.
The paltry score of 55 also marked South Africa's lowest in Test cricket since they rejoined international cricket in 1991. Prior to Siraj's remarkable performance, the only Indian in the nation's 92-year Test history to claim five wickets before lunch was left-arm spinner Maninder Singh, who accomplished this against Pakistan in Bengaluru during the 1986-1987 season.
After Day 1 stumps, Siraj in the press conference revealed revealed how he planned Sout Africa's batting fiasco.
"I wanted to hit one area consistently. I did that and got rewarded for it," Siraj said in the post Day 1's press conference.
He mentioned that he and Jasprit Bumrah worked together as a bowling pair and delivered several maiden overs, which was a change from the last Test match.
“Bowling so many maidens did create pressure. On these wickets, where the ball is doing so much, often bowlers tend to think to do too many things, but one should just stick to one line. If you hit the right areas, the wickets will come automatically,” Siraj further said.
Siraj also thanked Bumrah and KL Rahul for the guidance and support he received from them. “When the senior bowler is operating and there is a wicketkeeper who advises you on what the correct length is, your job becomes easier as there is a lot of communication,” the star pacer concluded.
However, Indian batters to struggled to find their feet on the crease when they came out to bat. Replying to South Africa's 55, Indian innings was limited to 153 as Virat Kohli with 46 and Rohit Sharma with 39 remained the top scorers for the visitors while Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger picked three wickets apiece. After the close of Day 1, South Africa were 62/3, trailing India by 36 runs.
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