South Africa clinched a thrilling 30-run victory over India in the opening Test at Eden Gardens on Sunday, thanks to a gritty half-century from Temba Bavuma and disciplined bowling from the Proteas.
India, playing without injured captain Shubman Gill, were bundled out for 93 in their second innings while chasing a modest 123-run target. The collapse handed South Africa a memorable win and a 1–0 lead in the series.
India Crumble in Second Innings
India began Day 3 under pressure at 10/2, needing 114 more runs. Marco Jansen struck early, removing KL Rahul (1) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (0), reducing India to 1/2.
Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel resisted briefly, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar all fell to a combination of tight bowling, sharp fielding, and mounting pressure.
South Africa’s Fightback Led by Bavuma
Earlier, South Africa were bowled out for 153 in their second innings after posting 159 in the first. India’s first-innings 189 had given them a narrow advantage, but Bavuma’s determined 55 off 122 balls—with four boundaries—anchored the Proteas innings.
Corbin Bosch added a useful 25, while India’s bowlers kept things tight but failed to produce sustained breakthroughs.
Siraj, Bumrah Shine but Fall Short
Mohammed Siraj starred for India, picking crucial wickets and finishing off South Africa’s innings with a brilliant yorker to dismiss Keshav Maharaj.
Jasprit Bumrah also delivered key blows, dismissing Bosch and breaking the middle order.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav maintained control with economical spells, but the lack of big partnerships from India’s batters proved decisive.
Harmer and Maharaj Turn the Game
South Africa’s spin duo Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj were the architects of India’s downfall.
Harmer removed Kuldeep Yadav (LBW), Pant (caught and bowled), and Jadeja (LBW), applying relentless pressure on a turning track.
Maharaj delivered in the clutch, dismissing Axar Patel—who had briefly revived Indian hopes with two sixes and a four—and then removing Mohammed Siraj and Jaiswal to seal the match.
Late Drama But No Miracle
Axar Patel tried to engineer a late rescue with some bold hitting, but Bavuma’s sharp catch off Maharaj ended India’s fight. Siraj fell shortly after, triggering jubilant celebrations from the visitors.
South Africa now hold a 1–0 lead heading into the next Test.
