Mohammed Siraj bulldozed through South Africa in one of the most memorable Test spells by an India bowler, claiming a six-for as the hosts dramatically stumbled to 55 all out before lunch on the opening day of the Cape Town New Year’s Test.

South Africa’s lowest total since readmission

The damage was so severe that South Africa were shot out for their lowest Test score since 1932 (between 1887 and 1932, they had seven scores of under 50). Since their readmission to Test cricket, it was the first time they had been dismissed under 70.

On a Newlands pitch that had a visible green tinge, South Africa opted to bat first, but things turned awry very fast very soon.

Siraj finishes with 9-3-15-6

The wrecker-in-chief was Siraj, who dismissed six out of South Africa’s top seven batters, producing a spell for the ages with a searing new ball spell. Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar fell in his second and third over to set off a chain reaction.

The hosts had their top four sent back inside the first ten overs: matching Siraj was his new-ball partner Jasprit Bumrah who prised out Tristan Stubbs, on Test debut. Siraj claimed Tony de Zorzi early in the 16th over and Marco Jansen three balls later to complete a five-for. When the over ended, his figures read 8-3-9-5.

ODIs – registered his best bowling figures against Sri Lanka ✅
Tests – registered his best bowling figures against South Africa ✅

Mohammed Siraj 🤝 Match defining spells #MohammedSiraj #India #SavsIND #Cricket #JaspritBumrah #India #Cricket pic.twitter.com/RItSuiaz4S

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) January 3, 2024

Only two SA batters manage double figures

In his next over, he plucked Kyle Verreynne to extinguish any hopes of a miraculous recovery. Bumrah, along with second change Mukesh Kumar cleaned up the tail to end a haunting session for South Africa. It is now the lowest total by a team against India in Test cricket.

🚨 South Africa have been bowled out before Lunch in Cape Town 🚨

The Proteas record their lowest-ever total against India in Test matches, with Mohammed Siraj taking six wickets in a chaotic collapse.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/TDWCsNrRob

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 3, 2024

Prasidh Krishna was the only one among the four bowlers not to take a wicket; for South Africa, only David Bedingham and Verreynne could muster double figures.

Siraj’s figures of 9-3-15-6 is the third-best spell by an India bowler in South Africa after Shardul Thakur (7-61) and Harbhajan Singh (7-120).

You can follow the live score of the match here.