The Test match between South Africa and India was the shortest in the history of the game to produce a winner.

It just took a day and a half and 642 balls for Men in Blue to beat Proteas by seven wickets. India needed 79 runs to win after bowling out South Africa for 153 in the second innings.

India levelled the two-match series after Thursday’s victory.

The previous shortest Test also involved South Africa, who were beaten by Australia in 656 balls in Melbourne in 1932.

Shortest Tests to produce a winner

• 642 balls: India v South Africa, 2023
• 656 balls: Australia v South Africa, 1935
• 672 balls: West Indies v England, 1935
• 788 balls: England v Australia, 1888
• 792 balls: England v Australia, 1888

The match at Newlands was the 2,522nd Test to be played since England met Australia in Melbourne in 1877. It was also the shortest.

Twenty-three wickets fell on the opening day as South Africa, who elected to bat first, were shot out before lunch for just 55. India were then dismissed for 153, losing their last six wickets for zero runs.

The Proteas fared marginally better in the second dig with Aiden Markram scoring a brilliant century. But India knocked off the runs for a seven-wicket win, the match lasting just 107 overs.