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India in control after wickets collapse in second Test – Barron's

India have a good chance of leveling the series with South Africa after 23 wickets fell on the first day of the second and final Test at Newlands on Wednesday.

After being bowled out by 55 runs in the first innings, South Africa ended up at 62 for three runs in the second innings, still 36 runs less than India's first innings total of 153 runs.

Mohammed Siraj scored a sensational career best of six for 15 as South Africa were bowled out before lunch after opting to bat first on a pitch that provided significant help to the fast bowlers throughout the day.

South Africa's total was their lowest in almost 92 years since they were bowled out for 36 and 45 against Australia on a rain-affected Melbourne pitch in February 1932.

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It was the lowest total of any team in a Test against India, beating New Zealand's 62 in Mumbai in December 2021.

Siraj bowled superbly in an unchanged nine-over game.

India took the lead with 9.4 overs to spare before the afternoon drinks break.

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The tourists appeared to have a significant advantage as they reached 153 for four, with the experienced Virat Kohli and KL Rahul at the wicket.

But the remaining six wickets fell in 11 balls without any runs.

Lungi Ngidi had Rahul behind him and picked up two more wickets in the same over.

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Kagiso Rabada had Kohli caught at second slip for 46 in the next over, Mohammed Siraj was thrown out and Prasidh Kumar was caught at second slip.

South Africa stand-in captain Dean Elgar was dismissed twice on the first day of his final Test match.

Elgar was bowled out with four and twelve, an ignominious end to his Test batting career which saw him score 5347 runs in 86 games at an average of 37.92.

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Elgar was bowled by Siraj in the first innings and caught by Virat Kohli at first slip off Mukesh Kumar in the second innings.

As he reluctantly left the field after his second dismissal, Indian players ran to shake his hand.

Elgar's opening partner Aiden Markram only scored twice in the first innings but had more control in the second innings and ended up unbeaten on 36.

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However, Tony de Zorzi and debutant Tristan Stubbs each dropped out in one run.

South Africa won the first Test at Centurion by an innings and 32 runs in a game that lasted just three days.

The current game is likely to be shorter.

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