India win shortest Test match of all time to beat South Africa by seven wickets and draw series

India wasted little time in completing a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the shortest Test match that produced a winner in the recorded history of the game.

After bowling the Proteas out for just 55 on day one, India needed just 79 in their second innings and got over the line during the afternoon session on day two at Newlands.

Just 642 balls were needed to secure the win and draw the series, eclipsing the previous benchmark of 656 balls when South Africa were beaten by Australia in 1932.

The damage was done for the Proteas on day one when they were bowled out for 55, their lowest total in a Test innings in 92 years.

Mohammed Siraj was lethal with the ball for India, taking six wickets in nine overs, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar clinching two apiece.

But South Africa were offered a lifeline when India failed to capitalise, collapsing to 153 all out after losing their last six wickets for no runs off 11 balls.

Virat Kohli top scored with 46 as six of his team-mates fell for a duck, while it was also the first time a team has lost six wickets without scoring a run in Test history.

South Africa returned on day two on 62-3 but failed to post a formidable target, despite Aiden Markram’s excellent 106.

Markram hit 17 fours and two sixes in a brilliant knock but was offered little support from those around him.

Elsewhere, only Dean Edgar (12), David Bedingham (11) and Marco Jansen (11) in the South African order scored more than 10 runs.

When Siraj removed Markram, the Proteas’ resistance was all but broken, and they were swiftly bowled out for 176.

That left India chasing 79 to win, and despite dropping three wickets, the Men in Blue needed just 12 overs to reach their target and end a remarkable Test in Cape Town.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media