The 2nd Test match between India and South Africa in Cape Town, could get into the list of the shortest Test matches in Test cricket history as the game is heading for a Day 2 finish.
It was utter chaos for the batters and some huge fun for the bowlers on Day 1 of the Cape Town Test as 23 wickets fell. This was the second-most number of wickets ever falling in a day’s play of Test cricket; the record for most wickets in a day in men’s Test cricket – 25 wickets – was in the 1902 Ashes Test match at the MCG.
South Africa batted first after interim skipper Dean Elgar, who is playing his last Test match won the toss. South Africa would have hoped to dig in till Lunch on Day 1; what would they know, they would get bowled out by Lunch for only 55 runs, batting only for 23.2 overs.
Then India got into a good position at 153/4, leading by 98 runs. However, the match turned once again as India collapsed, losing 6 wickets for zero runs in a space of 11 balls. India batted for 34.5 overs. South Africa managed to lose only three more wickets in the third session, scoring 62 runs in 17 overs.
Overall, so far on Day 1, 75.1 overs were bowled and 23 wickets fell. If the pitch remains the same on Day 2 as it behaved on Day 1, and the match gets over by, say, Tea on Day 2, then this Test match could get into the top 5 shortest Test matches in history in terms of overs and ending in result.
Which is the shortest Test match in Test cricket history?
The shortest Test match ending in a result was between Australia and South Africa at the MCG in 1932, with the game finishing in only 109.2 overs.
Top 5 Shortest Test Matches By Overs In Test History (ending in a result):

Teams | Overs | Winner | Ground | Date |
Australia vs South Africa | 109.2 | Australia | Melbourne | 12-Feb-32 |
West Indies vs England | 112 | England | Bridgetown | 08-Jan-35 |
England vs Australia | 197 | England | Manchester | 30 Aug 1888 |
England vs Australia | 198 | Australia | Lord’s | 16 Jul 1888 |
South Africa vs England | 199 | England | Cape Town | 25 Mar 1889 |
https://x.com/sachin_rt/status/1742485108920324396?s=20