Drama ensued right before the final ball of Day 1 in the second Test as Virat Kohli swapped the bails, irking Aiden Markram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second and final Test between South Africa and India at Newlands witnessed an extraordinary, back-and-forth first day, concluding with the Proteas standing at 62 for three in their second innings, trailing India by 36 runs. The day saw 23 wickets fall, along with the setting of several records on Wednesday. Aiden Markram, with an unbeaten 36, and David Bedingham, at 7 not out, will aim to build a solid partnership on the second day to set a challenging target for India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virat Kohli swaps bails right before the final ball of Day 1, leading to an on-field argument(X<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seamer Mohammed Siraj played a pivotal role, achieving a career-best 6-15 as India bowled out South Africa for a mere 55 in the first innings. Despite India\u2019s promising position at 153 for four in reply, a stunning collapse ensued, resulting in the loss of six wickets without adding a run\u2014the first instance of such an occurrence in test cricket. The visitors encountered multiple unwanted milestones, with six batsmen dismissed for ducks, equaling a previous record. The first two innings, lasting 349 balls, marked the second-fewest deliveries in 147 years of Test cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa faced setbacks as well, losing captain Dean Elgar twice in the day, scoring four and 12. Mukesh Kumar (2-25) and Jasprit Bumrah contributed to South Africa\u2019s struggles in the second innings, leaving them teetering at 62 for three at the day\u2019s close. However, right before the final delivery of the day, a rather dramatic moment took place in the middle, as India star Virat Kohli walked near the stumps and swapped the bails in a repeat of the previous Test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kohli had performed the act to success in Centurion; taking cue from Stuart Broad\u2019s similar act during the Ashes, Kohli swapped the bails in a bid to distract the batters right before the start of Jasprit Bumrah\u2019s over in the 29th over of South Africa\u2019s innings. Astonishingly, Bumrah picked the wicket in his over, dismissing Tony de Zorzi. On Wednesday, Kohli seemingly attempted to do something similar right before Aiden Markram took the strike for the final ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Kohli\u2019s action, Markram appeared to make a complaint with the umpires, prompting both Kohli and wicketkeeper KL Rahul to display their dissatisfaction. Shortly after, captain Rohit Sharma intervened, pausing the game to engage in a discussion with bowler Mukesh Kumar. Despite the interruptions, Markram managed to repel the last delivery effectively with a robust forward-defensive shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kohli swapped the bails at the striker's end before the final ball to play mind games with Markram\ud83d\ude01. However, Markram successfully defended the final ball of the day.#INDvsSA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/b1ehA3QEB0<\/a><\/p>— Deepak Prakash (@Deepakprksh) January 3, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>