On the opening day of the current second Test in Cape Town, India struck four times in the first ten overs, leaving South Africa reeling. Mohammed Siraj made early inroads. Siraj proved to be India’s main wrecker when the Proteas won the toss and chose to bat; the Indians had lost the first Test in Centurion last week by an innings and 32 runs. In his first over, Siraj dismissed Aiden Markram (2), Dean Elgar (4), and Tony de Zorzi (2).
With a stunning ball that shapes away, #MohammedSiraj makes the initial breakthrough, and #AidenMarkram returns to the pavilion!
Watch the Second Test of #SAvIND LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network for Cricket at pic.twitter.com/m5RZc3S2Yq.
— January 3, 2024, Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)
I knocked them out!
_ ‘| | /#MohammedSiraj should be pleased since he skillfully positions #DeanElgar and lands the big one!
Watch the Second Test of #SAvIND LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network’s #Cricket #EGX6XxZsSu
— January 3, 2024, Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)
Today, @mdsirajofficial won’t stop.
With the third wicket taken by the #TeamIndia bowler, the hosts are down at 15/4.
Watch the Second Test of #SAvIND LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network’s #Cricket https://twitter.com/5U98xnHMRL
— January 3, 2024, Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)
Fans praised Siraj on social media for his enchanted spell. The pacer was chastised severely on Boxing Day.
Muhammad Siraj is blazing right now!
He took 2 wickets in only 2 overs, displaying his peak Miyan Magic. Picturing Twitter at 5XN10h3zS6
— January 3, 2024, CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
Dean Elgar Has Died
Miyan Magic – Siraj You Beauty #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/IqFtA7UU6L
— January 3, 2024 (@46thCenturyWhen) — Harshit 2.0
Image: https://twitter.com/r32pj6hexp Miyan Magic #INDvSA
— @RajuRo_45 (Raju_45(Hitman)) On January 3, 2024, Siraj completed his third five-for in Test cricket by dismissing Kyle Verrynne and Marco Jansen.
Three changes were made by South Africa, including the addition of new cap Tristan Stubbs, who was supposed to bat at number four instead of Keegan Petersen according to the squad sheet.
Gerald Coetzee and Temba Bavuma, who were both injured, were replaced by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi.
India chose to replace fellow spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin with the fit-again Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur with seam bowler Mukesh Kumar.
“We’re in a great position after winning the first Test, but we’re very mindful of starting well,” said South Africa’s captain Dean Elgar, who is participating in his last Test.
According to Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, he too would have opened the batting.
“We are quite upbeat about what we can achieve here,” he said.
