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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♛ bowler 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 dismissꦺ 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 that wicket, Shami al𒊎so 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 cඣollapse.
Proteas pacer Lungi Ngidi bowled outstandingly well and picked up a stunning six-wicket haul. Apart from Ngidi, pacer Kagiso Rabada bagged three scဣalps, while Jansen got one wicket.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Stumps on Day 3 of the 🅷1st Test. 327 and 16/1, lead South Africa (19♉7) by 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 a dominating position.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad)
Shabash🗹 Sultan of Bengal🌊 . Dekh ke maza aah gaya. Biryani. Doh din ke baad. Mehnat ka Phal. God bless.
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc)
Sensational Shami. What 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 wicket 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 up🌌right. Congratulations on 200 Test wickets to one of the best in the business ꩵ 👏🏻👊🏻
— 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 and 200th wicket came agains𒉰t the same team at the same venue.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
