Unwanted Record in the Record Book of India as 7 Indian Players Register 0 Runs in a Test Inning
South Africa vs India: The second Test between South Africa and India at Cape Town produced an unexpected and, quite frankly, bizarre statistic. A total of 23 wickets fell on a chaotic day one, with both teams grappling on a pitch that seemed to have a life of its own. However, what stood out prominently was the unprecedented occurrence of 7 Indian players with 0 runs in a Test inning, a first in the 147-year history of the format.
South Africa vs India: Day1 of 2nd Match
The day began with a flurry of wickets as Mohammed Siraj, with a remarkable spell of 6-15, dismantled the South African batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 55 runs. India, in response, appeared to be in control at 153 for 4, with KL Rahul and Virat Kohli seemingly steering the ship. However, in a mere 11 balls post-tea, the Indian innings crumbled, losing six wickets for no additional runs and concluding at 153 all out, earning a slender lead of 98 runs.
The collapse was so swift and dramatic that even seasoned cricket pundits struggled to find suitable words to describe the unfolding events. Former India coach and commentator Ravi Shastri humorously remarked, “153 for 4 and 153 all out. If someone went around the corner for a dump and has come back, India have been bowled out for 153.”
The chaos began with KL Rahul’s attempted uppercut off Lungi Ngidi, resulting in an edge to the wicketkeeper. Subsequently, Ngidi produced a delivery that bounced awkwardly, claiming the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja. The woes continued as Jasprit Bumrah fell victim to the tricky bounce, and Virat Kohli, seemingly distracted by the unfolding carnage, edged one to slip. Siraj, who had just finished a spectacular bowling performance, found himself involved in a comical run-out with Prasidh Krishna, adding another zero to the list of Indian batsmen who failed to score.
The statistical anomaly was further highlighted by the fact that Mukesh Kumar, the 11th player to bat, resulted in seven Indian players recording zero runs instead of the expected six. Kagiso Rabada sealed India’s fate by dismissing Prasidh Krishna, bringing an end to a chaotic and unexpected innings.
Earlier in the day, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill had provided some stability, contributing 39 and 36 runs, respectively. However, the uneven bounce in the pitch, evident from both teams’ false shot percentages exceeding 50, proved challenging for the batsmen. Nandre Burger’s rapid spell in the middle session accounted for crucial wickets, including the dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer.
As the focus now shifts to the fourth innings, South Africa’s Aiden Markram and David Bedingham find themselves with the responsibility of setting a target for India. The intriguing question remains whether India, despite the unwanted record of seven players with zero runs, can still chase down a target and salvage a result from a historic and unpredictable Test match.
In the 147-year history of Test cricket, such a record is unprecedented, and it adds a unique chapter to the sport’s rich tapestry. While the unpredictable nature of the pitch played a role in this statistical anomaly, it raises questions about the quality of the playing surface and the challenges faced by batsmen on such tracks.
All the cricket enthusiasts await the outcome of this closely contested Test match, one can’t help but marvel at the twists and turns that have defined the first day’s play. Whether the historic record of seven Indian players with zero runs will be a footnote in a victorious comeback or a symbol of an unexpected stumble remains to be seen. The stage is set for an intriguing Day Two, with the cricketing world left searching for synonyms of unlikely.
