"This match will be over on Day 2": feels Akash Chopra after dramatic 23 wickets fall

Akash Chopra (Pic: File Pic)

After the fall of 23 wickets on day one of the second test match between India and South Africa, former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra said that the only way India loses the match is if Proteas gets a 150-run lead at least.

Aiden Markram and David Bedingham took South Africa to 62/3 at Stumps on dramatic day one of the second Test match in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Chopra said that Team India is still ahead in the test and the match will be over on the second day.

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"We have again taken three wickets (in the second innings). We are still well ahead in the game. The match will be over on the second day. Why do you keep five-day Test matches? The first match lasted three days and the second match will last two days," he said on his YouTube channel.

"I hope that does not happen, but the only chance for India to lose is if South Africa get a 150-run lead. Other than that, I feel we are in the driver's seat. So the expectation is that when this match ends, the series would be tied at 1-1 and we would have registered our first-ever win in a Cape Town Test," he added.

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Akash Chopra also praised Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj saying that the best of Siraj is "magical". Siraj registered six wickets for just 15 runs in his nine-over spell.

"You have to credit the Indian bowling for the way they bowled, especially Mohammed Siraj. This is what makes Siraj extremely special. The best of Miyan Magic is actually magical," said Chopra.

"When he bowled against Sri Lanka - six wickets, and when he bowled here - six wickets. If you see his action, he falls slightly towards the left and it seems the ball would come in but the ball pitches and goes away. The ball also shapes away a little in the air. So there he kept picking up wickets," he added.

Coming to the match, On the opening day of the second Test clash between India and South Africa, 23 wickets fell which itself was a new test record. The fall of 23 wickets on Day 1 of the test broke the 128-year-old record.

Previously, the most number of wickets to fall on Day 1 was 21 which happened during the Test match between South Africa and England. In South Africa's first innings, they were bowled out for just 55 runs. India's ever-improving speedster Mohammed Siraj bagged six wickets for just 15 runs in nine overs.

During the match, he also achieved his career-best bowling figures in test cricket. After a stupendous bowling performance for the visitors, India saw a sudden batting collapse in their first innings. India lost six wickets for zero runs against South Africa. Skipper Dean Elgar managed 12 runs in his final Test innings. Mukesh got two while Bumrah got one wicket.

(With ANI Inputs)