SA v IND 2023-24: "We knew it's going to be a short game,” Rohit Sharma after India’s series-levelling win in Cape Town Test

India defeated South Africa by seven wickets in Cape Town to level the two-match Test series 1-1.

The second Test between India and South Africa in Cape Town ended inside two days on Thursday (January 4), with the visitors completing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory.

Resuming their second innings at 62/3, the Proteas batting line-up fell like a pack of cards in the morning session as Jasprit Bumrah produced one his finest spells in red-ball cricket. The right-arm quick returned with the figures of 6/61, helping India bundle out the hosts for 176 in the morning session.

In the post-lunch session, the visitors chased down the paltry target of 79 to level the two-match Test series 1-1.

After the Cape Town Test got over within five sessions, India skipper Rohit Sharma called it a great feat while adding that they were aware it was going to be a short game.

"Obviously it's a great feat, but having said that we had to learn from whatever mistakes we made (in the first Test)," Rohit said at the post-match presentation.

"The bowlers still have to put the ball in the right areas and the boys got rewarded for it. When you come to this part of the world, it's always difficult but we take pride in our performance outside of India."

"We knew that it's going to be a short game, we knew every run matters, to get that lead was very important. (On Siraj) Very special, something you don't get to see very often. We spoke about keeping things simple and that's what happened. The pitch did the rest," he added.

In the first innings, India rode on Mohammed Siraj’s six-wicket haul to bowl out South Africa for a mere 55. The likes of Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna also chipped in with crucial wickets in both innings.

Lauding his fast bowlers, the Indian captain said: "Lot of credit to Siraj, Bumrah, Mukesh and Prasidh. Whenever you come here, it's challenging. We have played a lot of good cricket outside India, we take a lot of pride.”

"We would have loved to win the series. South Africa is a great team, they always challenge us, they are such a good team. (On Elgar) Such an important player for SA, very gritty, we appreciate that. I'd like to wish him the best. Brilliant career, best wishes ahead," he concluded.

(With TOI Inputs)