IND vs SA 2nd Test: Mohammed Siraj Runs Through South Africa, Reduces Hosts To 45/7 With First-Ever Six-Wicket Haul

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India pacer duo Mohammed Siraj ripped through the South African batting order inside the first session of day one's play in the second Test at the Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday (January 3).

Trailing the two-match Test series 0-1, India were asked to field first by South African skipper Dean Elgar, who is making his final international appearance, having announced his intention to retire after the series.

With zero wins in their six previous Tests in Cape Town, India got just the start that they wanted as the opening bowlers Siraj and Bumrah combined to remove the top four, including the in-form skipper Elgar, inside the opeing hour's play on day one.

After some disciplined bowling, Siraj first removed Aiden Markram caught at slips by Yashasvi Jaiswal for 2 with the total at 5 in his second over and the fourth over of the match. This was the second time Siraj got the better of Markram in as many Tests.

Two overs later, Siraj removed Elgar, who scored a match-winning 185 in the first Test, for just 4 after the South African skipper chopped one onto the stumps with the total at 8.

Exactly three overs later, Bumrah joined the party as he removed Test debutant Tristan Stubbs for 3, caught at forward short-leg by skipper Rohit Sharma, leaving South Africa at 11/3 in 8.3 overs.

The very next over, Siraj claimed his third wicket of the innings with the dismissal of Tony De Zorzi for 2, caught down the legs by wicketkeeper KL Rahul, leaving the hosts in a spot of bother at 15/4.

David Bedingham and Kyle Verynne put on some fight until Siraj removed the former, caught at slips for 12 with the total at 34/5 in 15.2 overs. Two deliveries later, Siraj struck again to complete his five-wicket haul with the dismissal of Marco Jansen for a duck.

The 29-year-old continued bowling in the long spell and was rewarded with his first-ever six-wicket haul in Test cricket with the dismissal of Verynne, caught at slips for 17, leaving South Africa possibly staring at one of their lowest ever totals in Test cricket.

The lowest total for South Africa has been 30 all out twice and 35 all out twice. At 46 for 8, Here is a look at South Africa's Lowest Test innings totals:

Lowest Innings Totals For South Africa in Tests

• 30 All Out vs England in 1896
• 30 All Out vs England in 1924
• 35 All Out vs England in 1899
• 36 All Out vs Australia in 1932
• 43 All Out vs England in 1889
• 45 All Out vs Australia in 1932

Siraj's spell of 6 for 15 in 9 overs was his best bowling figures in a Test innings with the previous best being 5 for 60 vs West Indies in Port of Spain followed by 5 for 73 vs Australia in Brisbane in 2021. Here is a look at Siraj's best bowling innings so far:

Siraj's Test Best Bowling Figures

• 6 for 15 vs South Africa in Cape Town (2024)
• 5 for 60 vs West Indies in Port of Spain (2023)
• 5 for 73 vs Australia in Brisbane (2021)
• 4 for 32 vs England in Lord's (2021)
• 4 for 94 vs England in Lord's (2021)