The second Test between India and South Africa in Cape Town on Thursday entered the record books as the shortest completed game in the history of Test cricket.
Lasting just four and a half sessions and concluding within two days, India (153 & 80/3) secured a 7-wicket victory over South Africa (55 & 176), resulting in a 1-1 series draw. The first Test in Centurion, which India lost by an innings and 32 runs, also ended within three days. In addition to the historic brevity, India became the first Asian side to win a Test match in Cape Town. This marked the 25th instance of a Test match concluding within two days, dating back to 1882. The match at Cape Town set a new record for the shortest completed Test match ever in terms of overs bowled, with 642 balls (107 overs), surpassing the previous best of 656 balls (109.2 overs) involving Australia and South Africa at the MCG in 1932.
Notably, this was the third occasion where Team India was part of a two-day Test match, with previous instances against Afghanistan in Bengaluru in 2018 and against England in Ahmedabad in 2021.