India secured the fastest Test victory in history to produce a winner, with their seven-wicket triumph over South Africa achieved in only a day and a half.

The visitors levelled the series at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town with the match completed in 642 balls (107 overs).

Previously, the record was 656 balls when South Africa were beaten by Australia in 1932.

Generally, a Test match lasts five days with 450 overs (2,250 balls) bowled during the entire match made up of four innings each.

Throughout these four sessions, a wicket fell less than every 20 balls on average.

Match officials are expected to scrutinise the state of the pitch – to see whether the shortness of the match was due to a poor surface or batting errors.

India captain Rohit Sharma finished 16 not out as the victory target of 79 was surpassed in 12 overs shortly after lunch on the second afternoon.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (28), Shubman Gill (10) and Virat Kohli (12) were the only Indian wickets to fall.

Earlier, Aiden Markram produced an eye-catching century for South Africa, but no other player in the batting line-up passed 12 as they were bowled out for 176 in their second innings.

Standout Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah took six wickets for 61.

India also set an unwanted personal stat, becoming the first team in history to lose six wickets without scoring a run in a Test innings.

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South Africa were heavily criticised for selecting a weakened Test squad – with seven uncapped players including captain Neil Brand – to tour New Zealand in February.

Cricket South Africa defended the move stressing its commitment to the international game.

Some of the shortest Test matches ever date back to the late 19th century when Australia beat England at Lords off 792 balls in July 1888, before England took revenge in the same year with four fewer balls bowled.

The shortest-ever official Test match lasted just 10 balls between England and West Indies at North Sound in 2009. However, that match was called off due to a dangerous outfield and the match ended in a draw.

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