'If someone went for...': Ravi Shastri's epic reaction to India’s batting collapse against South Africa

Team India had a promising start to the second Test against South Africa when they bowled Proteas out for a meagre 55. Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj picked up six wickets to secure an advantage for the visitors on day one of the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town. Indian batting line-up, however, faltered again, posting only 153 runs in the first innings. Bowlers dominated the first day’s play as 23 wickets fell. The Indian cricket team became the first side in the history of the game to lose six wickets without adding even a run to their score in the first innings. This unfortunate feat set by Rohit Sharma’s men baffled many and former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri reacted to it in quite a hilarious fashion.

Shastri, who was present in the commentary box, summarised India’s batting in the first innings of the Cape Town Test by saying, “Yes 153/4, 153 all out. If someone went around the corner for a dump and has come back, India has been bowled out for 153!”

“Or a drink, or whatever they have gone for. If they turned away from the game for a little bit,” cricketer-turned-commentator Pommie Mbangwa said. A video of Shastri’s epic commentary went viral on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

The inimitable Ravi Shastri describing India’s collapse in a way only he can.pic.twitter.com/IQb43LKrdj

— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) January 3, 2024

South Africa’s pace triumvirate of Nandre Burger, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi picked up three wickets each to bowl out India for 153. The visitors lost their last six wickets in 11 balls.

Virat Kohli emerged as India’s highest scorer in the first innings having produced a vital knock of 46. Team India skipper Rohit also came up with a crucial innings of 39. Apart from Kohli, Rohit and Shubman Gill (36), not a single Indian player could breach the double-digit mark in the first innings.

The Proteas ended the first day’s play at 3/62 in their second innings. India’s Mukesh Kumar bagged two wickets in the second innings on Wednesday.