Proteas bowled out for record low total on wicket-laden day at Newlands

The Proteas recorded their lowest total in Test cricket since readmission on a bizarre opening day of the second Test against India that saw 23 wickets fall at Newlands.

After the retiring Dean Elgar had won the toss and opted to bat first on a sun-baked day, the skipper watched in horror as they were skittled out for 55.

India then collapsed in heap, losing their last six wickets for no runs as they were bowled out for 153 to take a lead of 98 on the first innings.

The Proteas were then in trouble on 62-3 at stumps, still facing a deficit of 36 to make the tourists bat again with Aiden Markram (36 not out) and David Bedingham (7 not out) at the crease.

A sold-out crowd at Newlands watched on only to see a horror show unfold over the course of just 23.2 overs in the first session.

Eight home batters were dismissed in single figures with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreyne (15) and David Bedingham (12) the only ones to creep the double-figure mark.

India seamer Mohammed Siraj did most of the damage with figures of 6-15, with two apiece for Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar.

The visitors then made it to 153-4 and looking in control of proceedings with Virat Kohli (46) but then lost six wickets for no runs.

Lungi Ngidi sparked the collapse with three wickets on one over to finish with figures of 3-30 while Kagiso Rabada and Nandre Burger also got three scalps each.

Kumar, playing in just his second Test, then removed Elgar in the second innings for the final time in his Test career.

The veteran opener walked off to a standing ovation from the Cape Town crowd in 86th and final Test at the venue that he scored his first Test runs.

The hosts then lost Tony de Zorzi and debutant Tristan Stubbs as the Proteas still facer an uphill task of getting back into the game.

In total 270 runs were scored for the loss of 23 wickets in 75.1 overs on a manic day at Newlands that will go down in the history books.

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