• IND vs SA 2nd Test: India's 1st-ever win at Cape Town, register 7-wicket victory

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    IND vs SA 2nd Test: India's 1st-ever win at Cape Town, register 7-wicket victory
    The South African batting lineup was destroyed for just 176 runs in the second innings ...

    Digital Desk: With a historic first-ever Test victory against South Africa in Cape Town, Team India ended their losing streak at the Newlands Cricket Grounds. India's record in Cape Town was tainted by losses and ties before this victory; their two best results were in draws in 1993 and 2011. 

    South Africa consistently outplayed the team, and they had never been able to earn a victory in the city. India has never won a game in Cape Town; before this victory, they had lost three Test matches, and drawn two.

    In order to tie the series at seven wickets in Cape Town, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team overcame a disastrous first-inning batting collapse. The South African batting lineup was destroyed for just 176 runs in the second innings thanks in large part to Jasprit Bumrah's incredible six-wicket performance, which eclipsed Aiden Markram's century for his country. With 79 runs needed to secure the win and even the series, India's chase was set at a low level.

    The first day of play at Newlands saw a record amount of wickets fall due to difficult pitch conditions, but India's batsmen were still able to handle the South African bowlers' attack. The Indian bowling unit, especially Mohammed Siraj with his career-best numbers and Bumrah's reliable work, proved too strong for the South African side, who found it difficult to forge meaningful partnerships.

    A batting collapse that included a paltry first innings total of 55, South Africa's lowest score since 1932, only served to compound their problems. With important contributions from the top order, notably outstanding efforts from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India took advantage of this weakness and built a solid platform for their historic victory.