The New Year’s Test between India and South Africa in Cape Town ended within two days, with the visitors completing a rollercoaster seven-wicket victory.

The Test match lasted 107 overs and just a little over four sessions, making it the shortest ever in the history of cricket.

South Africa’s first innings folded for a mere 55 on Day 1 while the tourists were bowled out for 153. The Proteas ended the opening day at 62/3 in their second innings.

The pitch didn't fare any better on Day 2 as South Africa were bundled out for 176, setting a paltry target of 79 for India, which they chased down in 12 overs to level the two-match series 1-1.

No wonder, Newlands pitch curator Braam Mong faced a lot of flak for the 22 yards he dished up for the second Test.

The problematic part about the surface was the 9-millimetre grass kept to keep the cracks from widening due to excessive sunlight. But as it turned out, the grass made the ball behave rather strangely.

However, South African pace legend Dale Steyn said there was no need to be scared of cracks while also adding that he has played in many Test matches where cracks were so wide that cars could have been parked there.

"Why we so scared of cracks? Think Sydney, Perth. Cracks so wide you can park a car inside them, and yet they always get to days 4 and 5! Pointless a test being over so fast you don’t even see a hint of a crack. Pitches deteriorate over the days, let it happen. Two-day tests are not Test matches," Steyn posted on social media platform X.

After the game, India skipper Rohit Sharma said he is happy playing on pitches like the one in Cape Town until the ICC and match referees keep mum on spin-friendly tracks in India.

"I don’t mind being on pitches like this as long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and no one is talking about the pitches there. Yes, it is dangerous, but you come here (South Africa) to challenge yourself and you must face up to it.

"In India, when it turns on day one, people say ‘Oh, there is a puff of dust’. We need to stay neutral, especially match referees. I would love to see how the pitches are rated. I still can’t believe the (Cricket) World Cup final pitch (in Ahmedabad) was rated below standard. A player (Australia’s Travis Head) got a hundred there. So these are the things the ICC, the match referees, they need to look into and start rating pitches based on what they see, not based on the countries,” Rohit said in a post-match presser.

"So I hope they keep their ears open, they keep their eyes open and look into those aspects of the game. Honestly, I'm all for pitches like this. We want to challenge playing on pitches like this. We pride ourselves on playing on pitches like this. Uh, but all I want to say is be neutral," he added.

Rohit further stated that the ICC should not show double standards in rating a pitch based on spin or seam on day one.

"The ICC, the match referees, need to start rating pitches on what they see, not based on the countries. Honestly, I would like to see how the pitches are rated."