Aoba Tanaka 
In a cricketing spectacle that left fans and experts alike in disbelief, India witnessed a dramatic collapse during the first innings of the second Test in Cape Town. India lost an astounding six wickets in a mere 11 deliveries without managing to add a single run to their total of 153, creating a surreal turn of events on the field.
The collapse commenced with the dismissal of KL Rahul by Lungi Ngidi in the 34th over, leaving India at 153/4. Ngidi’s lethal spell continued as he swiftly claimed two more wickets in the same over, removing Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, both without scoring any runs.
Adding to India’s woes, Kagiso Rabada took charge in the following over, snatching two more wickets. The Indian skipper Virat Kohli fell victim to Rabada on the first ball, followed by the unfortunate run-out dismissal of Mohammed Siraj. Rabada sealed India’s innings by dismissing Prasidh Krishna, securing an outside edge that was safely caught by Aiden Markram at slip.
The manner in which Team India’s batting lineup crumbled was beyond imagination, considering the initial resilience displayed by Kohli and Rahul at the start of the final session. Despite Kohli’s valiant effort, the uneven bounce on the challenging pitch conditions posed significant challenges for the Indian team.
The collapse unfolded with rapid-fire dismissals after Kohli’s departure. The shocking sight of six Indian batters—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna—all being dismissed for a duck, while Mukesh Kumar remained unbeaten on 0, left cricket enthusiasts in disbelief.
This stunning collapse followed earlier bizarre events in the day, where the hosts were bowled out for a mere 55 in the first innings. Mohammed Siraj played a pivotal role with a six-wicket haul, supported by Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar with two wickets each. India’s seamers showcased exceptional bowling precision, dismantling the home team’s batting lineup and enforcing South Africa’s lowest Test total since 1932. The Proteas’ meager score of 55 also marked their lowest against India in Tests. The unfolding drama in Cape Town has added an unexpected twist to the ongoing Test series, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
