Shortest Test ever: India record historic win in Cape Town against South Africa

A Test match between South Africa and India broke one of the biggest records of all time. The second and final Test match in Cape Town ended in all but 107 overs (642 balls), making it the shortest ever in 147 years of history.

Team India won the Newlands Test by 7 wickets to draw the series 1-1 but in the process surpassed their record, which earlier stood at 842 balls against England in 2021.

Team South Africa batted twice on the same day, on which a cracking 23 wickets fell. And another 10 perished on Day 2 before India chased down 79 to pick their first Test win on their 9th tour of South Africa.

Have a look at the first five shortest Test matches ever played.

1. India vs South Africa, 2023: 107 overs

Hoping to draw only their second-ever Test series in South Africa, India pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah produced memorable spells of bowling inside 2 days with both pacers picking up 6 wicket hauls.

23 wickets fell on the first day, another 10 on the second as India picked up a 7-wicket win and the first in Cape Town to begin the new year 2024 on a high.

Aiden Markram scored a brilliant century but it was in vain as India overcame a disastrous period of 0/6 in the first innings.

2. Australia vs South Africa, 1935: 109.2 overs

This match was held at the MCG between Australia and South Africa with 656 balls. The Proteas record their lowest-ever Test total of 36 all out in 23.3 overs.

South Africa batted first but Bert Ironmonger took insane figures of 5/6. Australia scored 153 in 54.3 overs before South Africa was bundled out again for 45 in 31.3 overs, their fragile batting crumbled to a total of 81 across both innings.

3. West Indies vs England, 1935: 112 overs

In 1935, Bridgetown witnessed one of the strongest and shortest Test matches ever played. Rain ravaged the game, reducing it to a mere 112 overs. West Indies chose the batting first and were blown away for 102 in 47 overs with Ke Farms claiming 4/40.

England, in response, declared 81/7 due to a rapidly deteriorating pitch. Windies were no better in their second innings, pushing out a declaration themselves at 51/6 in 19 overs, setting England a modest target.

England reached their target of 75 for the loss of 6 wickets in the fourth innings, securing a bizarre victory in a match heavily impacted by the weather.

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4. England vs Australia, 1888: 196 overs

During the 1888 Ashed series, another short-lived encounter at Old Trafford. Played under the unique rule of 4 balls per over in England Tests at the time, the match lasted just 196 overs.

England posted 172 with Charlie Turner picking 5/86, while Australia could only muster a combined 151 across their 2 innings.

5. England vs Australia, 1888: 197 overs

In the same series, the iconic Lords witnessed the shortest Test ever played at its hallowed turf lasting just 197 overs. Australia batted first and posted 116 as Peel and Johnny Biggs once again inflicted remarkable damage, after which England could only conjure 53 in 50 overs.

Turner was once again the man for Australia with 5/27 but their batters fumbled once again in the second innings and were skittled for 60 in 29.2 overs.

A 122-run target seemed achievable but England have knocked over for 62 themselves in 47 overs with Turner and JJ Ferris scalping five each.