India vs South Africa 2nd Test proves shortest long-format match in history

This was the shortest match played in the history of Test cricket. Previously, it was the Australia vs South Africa match in 1932, in which only 656 balls were bowled to decide the winner.

It took less than five sessions and 642 balls to decide the India vs South Africa 2nd Test winner at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Thursday, January 04, 2024. India emerged victorious by 7 wickets after bowling South Africa out for 55 and 176 runs in two innings. This was the shortest match played in the history of Test cricket. 

India broke the 91-year-old record and suprisingly it was South Africa that time also who ended up on the losing side. Only 656 balls were bowled in the Australia vs South Africa Test match as the Kangaroos emerged victorious after bowling South Africa out for a mere 36 in the first session.

Check India vs South Africa 2nd Test full scorecard here

Balls faced by both teams in IND vs SA 2nd test
Team	Innings	Overs	Balls	Runs
South Africa	1st	23.2	140	55
India	1st	34.5	209	153
South Africa	2nd	36.5	221	176
India	2nd	12	72	80-3

Shortest Test match in history by balls

• 2024- India vs South Africa, Cape Town (642 balls)
• 1932 Australia vs South Africa, Melbourne (656 balls bowled)
• 2021- India vs England Ahmedabad (842 balls)
• 1935 West Indies vs England, Bridgetown (672 balls bowled)
• 1888 England vs Australia, Lord's (792 balls bowled)
• 1888 England vs Australia, Manchester (788 balls bowled)
• 1889 South Africa vs England, Cape Town (796 balls bowled)
• 1912 England vs South Africa, The Oval (815 balls bowled)
• 2000 South Africa vs England, Centurion (883 balls bowled)
• 2002 Australia vs Pakistan, Sharjah (893 balls bowled)
• 1946 Australia vs New Zealand, Wellington (872 balls bowled)

Shortest Test match in history by days

Shortest matches (by days)
Team 1	Team 2	Days	Winner	Ground	Match Date
South Africa	India	2	India	Cape Town	4 Aug 2024
England	West Indies	2	England	Leeds	17 Aug 2000
Australia	Pakistan	2	Australia	Sharjah	11 Oct 2002
South Africa	Zimbabwe	2	South Africa	Cape Town	4 Mar 2005
Zimbabwe	New Zealand	2	New Zealand	Harare	7 Aug 2005
South Africa	Zimbabwe	2	South Africa	Gqeberha	26 Dec 2017
India	Afghanistan	2	India	Bengaluru	14 Jun 2018
India	England	2	India	Ahmedabad	24 Feb 2021
Afghanistan	Zimbabwe	2	Zimbabwe	Abu Dhabi	2 Mar 2021
Australia	South Africa	2	Australia	Brisbane	17 Dec 2022
England	Australia	2	Australia	The Oval	28 Aug 1882
England	Australia	2	Australia	Lord's	16 Jul 1888
England	Australia	2	England	The Oval	13 Aug 1888
England	Australia	2	England	Manchester	30 Aug 1888
South Africa	England	2	England	Gqeberha	12 Mar 1889
South Africa	England	2	England	Cape Town	25 Mar 1889
England	Australia	2	England	The Oval	11 Aug 1890
South Africa	England	2	England	Gqeberha	13 Feb 1896
South Africa	England	2	England	Cape Town	21 Mar 1896
Australia	South Africa	2	Australia	Manchester	27 May 1912
England	South Africa	2	England	The Oval	12 Aug 1912
England	Australia	2	Australia	Nottingham	28 May 1921
Australia	West Indies	2	Australia	Melbourne	13 Feb 1931
South Africa	Australia	2	Australia	Johannesburg	15 Feb 1936
New Zealand	Australia	2	Australia	Wellington	29 Mar 1946

Source: espncricinfo

Most wickets on Day 1 of a Test match

Most wickets on Day 1
Wickets	Match	Venue	Year
25	AUS vs ENG	Melbourne	1902
23	SA vs IND	Cape Town	2024
22	ENG vs AUS	The Oval	1890
22	AUS vs WI	Adelaide	1951
21	SA vs ENG	Gqeberha	1896
20	ENG vs AUS	The Oval	1882
20	AUS vs ENG	Melbourne	1892
20	ENG vsSA	Leeds	1907
20	SA vs ENG	Gqeberha	1889
20	ENG vs AUS	Manchester	1909

 

South Africa lowest score in Test history
 

Team	Score	Overs	RR	Inns	Opposition	Ground	Match Date
South Africa	30	18.4x5	1.91	4	v England	Gqeberha	13 Feb 1896
South Africa	30	12.3	2.4	2	v England	Birmingham	14 Jun 1924
South Africa	35	22.4x5	1.84	4	v England	Cape Town	1 Apr 1899
South Africa	36	23.2	1.54	1	v Australia	Melbourne	12 Feb 1932
South Africa	43	28.2x4	2.26	3	v England	Cape Town	25 Mar 1889
South Africa	45	31.3	1.42	3	v Australia	Melbourne	12 Feb 1932
South Africa	47	47.1x4	1.49	2	v England	Cape Town	25 Mar 1889
South Africa	55	23.2	2.35	1	v India	Cape Town	3 Jan 2024
South Africa	58	26.1	2.21	1	v England	Lord's	10 Jun 1912
South Africa	72	50.1x8	1.07	4	v England	Cape Town	1 Jan 1957
South Africa	72	33.4x8	1.61	4	v England	Johannesburg	24 Dec 1956
South Africa	73	28.5	2.53	4	v Sri Lanka	Galle	12 Jul 2018
South Africa	75	44.4	1.67	4	v England	Leeds	29 Jul 1907
South Africa	79	33.1	2.38	2	v India	Nagpur	25 Nov 2015
South Africa	80	32	2.5	4	v Australia	Melbourne	31 Dec 1910

source: cricinfo