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Indian bowling unit put up a dominant show on Day 3 of the ongoing Boxing-Day Test to skittle South Africa for 197 in their first innings at Supersport Park in Centurion. Pacer Mohammad Shami was the pick of the bowler𒆙 for the visitors, picking up a memorable five-wicket haul.
It was the sixth five-for for Shami in Test cricket, and only the second occasion such feat came in the first innings. The previous being was 5/112 vs Australia at the SCG in Jan 2015. Shami ran through the South Africa top-order, getting the wickets of Keegan Petersen (15) and Aiden Markram (13) before ♕returning to dismiss well-set Temba Bavuma.
Bavuma was the highest scorer for Proteas in their first innings. The right-handed batter scored 52 runs before getting caught behind off Shami. The Indian speedster then removed Wiaan Mulder (12) and Kagiso Rabada (25) to complete his 5-for. With th🧔at wicket, Shami also entered the 200 Test wicket club.
Quickest to reach 200 wickets among Indian pacers:
- 50 – Kapil Dev
- 54 – Javagal Srinath
- 55 – Mohammed Shami
- 63 – Zaheer Khan/Ishant Sharma
Fewest balls to 200 Test wickets for India:
- 9896 – Mohammed Shami
- 10248 – Ravichandran Ashwin
- 11066 – Kapil Dev
- 11989 – Ravindra Jadeja
Apart from Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (2/16) and Shardul Thakur (2/51) bagged two wickets each, while Mohammad Siraj (1/45) picked up one scalp.
At stumps, India reached 16/1, leading South Africa by 146 runs. The visiting side lost opener Mayank Agarwal early after the batter was caught behind off left-armer Marco Jansen.
Earlier, India, in the first session, lost seven wickets for just 55 runs to get bundled out for 327. At one stage, the tourists were 272/3, but after losing overnight batters KL Rahul (123) and Ajinkya Rahane (48), the Indian lower-order witnessed a c💝ollapse.
Proteas pacer Lungi Ngidi bowled outstandingly well and picked up a stunning six-wicket haul. Apart from Ngidi, pacer Kagiso Rabada bagged three scalps, ꦯwhile Jansen got one wicket.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Stumps on Day 3 of the 1st Te🍎st. 327 and 16/1, lead South Africa (197) b♔y 146 runs.
Scorecard –
— BCCI (@BCCI)
That was a top class spell from Mohammad Shami. The seam position 💛is a treat to watch. Has put India in 𝕴a dominating position.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad)
Shabash 𓂃Sult♋an of Bengal . Dekh ke maza aah gaya. Biryani. Doh din ke baad. Mehnat ka Phal. God bless.
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc)
Sensational Shami. Wha♛t an incredible feat to pick 200 Test wickets in just 55 games. 👏👏
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Double Centurion Shami! 👏 |
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
Congratulations for a superb five wic🦄ket haul. What a glorious way to enter the 200 club👏
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9)
No matter where you freeze the frame, that seam position will be upright. Congratulations on 200 Test wickets to on🅠e of the best in the business 👏🏻👊🏻
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
🇮🇳🔥 CONGRATULATIONS! Mohammed Shami picks up his 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th Test wicket with a 5️⃣fer today – becoming only the 5th Indian pacer to reach this milestone 👊🏻
📷 Getty •
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy)
Mohammed Shami, 200 Test wickets. Kya baat hai
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Mohammed Shami in Tests:
100th wicket – v SA at Centurion, 2018
200th wicket – v SA at Centurion, 2021Shami is the first player in Tests whose 100th🀅 wicket andꦗ 200th wicket came against the same team at the same venue.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
