India vs South Africa, 1st Test Day 3:
The first of two Test matches between India and South Africa was held at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. South Africa emerged victorious by 30 runs. The Indian team crumbled in the chase during the second innings, managing only 93 runs. The match concluded in the second session of the third day (November 16). South Africa's spinner, Simon Harmer, captured a total of eight wickets in the match (four wickets in each innings). The second Test of the series is set to start on November 22 in Guwahati.
The South African captain, Temba Bavuma, won the toss and opted to bat first. South Africa could muster only 159 runs in their first innings. In response, the Indian team scored 189, taking a 30-run lead in the first innings. South Africa then put up 153 runs in their second innings, setting India a target of 124 runs.
The Indian team had a poor start to their run chase. Marco Jansen dismissed both openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal (0 runs) and KL Rahul (1 run), early. Dhruv Jurel (13 runs) was the third to fall, caught out trying to play a T20-style shot, becoming a victim of Simon Harmer. Harmer continued his dominance, claiming the wicket of stand-in captain Rishabh Pant (2 runs). Ravindra Jadeja (18 runs) was also trapped LBW by Harmer after spending some time at the crease.
The biggest hope for the Indian team, Washington Sundar, was dismissed by part-time spinner Aiden Markram. Sundar scored the highest, 31 runs off 92 balls, including two boundaries. Harmer struck again, removing Kuldeep Yadav, leaving India at 7/77. Axar Patel hit two sixes in an over from Keshav Maharaj, but was caught out attempting another big shot. India quickly lost the wicket of Mohammad Siraj afterward. Shubman Gill was unavailable for batting, and the Indian innings folded.
India's Second Innings Scorecard: (93/10, 35 overs)
Fall of Wickets:
1-0 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 0.4 overs), 2-1 (KL Rahul, 2.1 overs), 3-33 (Dhruv Jurel, 14.6 overs), 4-38 (Rishabh Pant, 19.4 overs), 5-64 (Ravindra Jadeja, 27.1 overs), 6-72 (Washington Sundar, 30.2 overs), 7-77 (Kuldeep Yadav, 33.2 overs), 8-93 (Axar Patel, 34.5 overs), 9-93 (Mohammad Siraj, 34.6 overs)
South Africa's Second Innings Highlights
Indian bowlers also wreaked havoc in South Africa's second innings. By the time they reached 91 runs, South Africa had lost seven wickets. Ravindra Jadeja was instrumental in breaking the backbone of the African team, dismissing Aiden Markram (4 runs), Wiaan Mulder (11 runs), Tony de Zorzi (2 runs), and Tristan Stubbs (5 runs). Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel supported Jadeja commendably. South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, deserves praise for showcasing intent with the bat in the final hour of the second day.
On the third day, Bavuma continued to demonstrate resilience. Together with Corbin Bosch (25 runs), he formed a crucial eighth-wicket partnership of 44 runs. South Africa's last two wickets were claimed by Mohammad Siraj, who dismissed Simon Harmer (7) and Keshav Maharaj (0 runs). Bavuma stood unbeaten at 55* off 136 balls with four boundaries. For India, Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets.
South Africa's Second Innings Scorecard: (153/10, 54 overs)
Fall of Wickets:
1-18 (Ryan Rickelton, 6.4 overs), 2-25 (Aiden Markram, 8.2 overs), 3-38 (Wiaan Mulder, 16.3 overs), 4-40 (Tony de Zorzi, 16.5 overs), 5-60 (Tristan Stubbs, 22.6 overs), 6-75 (Kyle Verreynne, 27.5 overs), 7-91 (Marco Jansen, 33.6 overs), 8-135 (Corbin Bosch, 47.1 overs), 9-153 (Simon Harmer, 53.3 overs), 10-153 (Keshav Maharaj, 53.6 overs)
India's First Innings: Simon Harmer Unleashes Fury
Just like South Africa, the Indian batsmen struggled in the first innings. Opener KL Rahul was the top scorer with 39 runs. Washington Sundar (29 runs), Ravindra Jadeja (27 runs), and Rishabh Pant (27 runs) got starts but couldn't convert them into significant scores. Captain Shubman Gill was forced to retire hurt on four runs. South Africa's spinner Simon Harmer was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets. Marco Jansen also bagged three wickets.
India's First Innings Scorecard: 189 (62.2 overs)
Fall of Wickets: 1-18 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 6.6 overs), 2-75 (Washington Sundar, 34.2 overs), 2-79* (Shubman Gill, retired not out), 3-109 (KL Rahul, 39.5 overs), 4-132 (Rishabh Pant, 43.4 overs), 5-153 (Dhruv Jurel, 48.3 overs), 6-171 (Ravindra Jadeja, 54.3 overs), 7-172 (Kuldeep Yadav, 55.5 overs), 8-187 (Mohammad Siraj, 59.6 overs), 9-189 (Axar Patel, 62.2 overs)
South Africa's First Innings: Jasprit Bumrah Takes 5 Wickets
South Africa had a promising start to their first innings, scoring 57 without loss, but they could not maintain momentum and failed to post a big total. Aiden Markram contributed the most with 31 runs. Wiaan Mulder (24 runs), Tony de Zorzi (24 runs), and Ryan Rickelton (23 runs) also chipped in with some runs. Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian bowling attack with a five-wicket haul, conceding just 27 runs. Mohammad Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav also picked up two wickets each.
South Africa's First Innings Scorecard: 159/10 (54.6 overs)
Fall of Wickets:
1-57 (Ryan Rickelton, 10.3 overs), 2-62 (Aiden Markram, 12.1 overs), 3-71 (Temba Bavuma, 15.6 overs), 4-114 (Wiaan Mulder, 29.5 overs) 5-120 (Tony de Zorzi, 32.3 overs), 6-146 (Kyle Verreynne, 44.1 overs), 7-147 (Marco Jansen, 44.4 overs), 8-154 (Corbin Bosch, 51.6 overs), 9-159 (Simon Harmer, 54.3 overs), 10-159 (Keshav Maharaj, 54.6 overs)
India's Playing XI for First Test:
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain/Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammad Siraj.
South Africa's Playing XI for First Test:
Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (Captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (Wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer, and Keshav Maharaj.
India vs South Africa (H2H)
Total Tests: 45 India Wins: 16 South Africa Wins: 19 Draws: 10
India's Performance at Eden Gardens (Tests)
Total Tests: 43 India Wins: 13 India Losses: 10 Draws: 20
India vs South Africa Tests at Eden Gardens (H2H)
Total Tests: 4 India Wins: 2 South Africa Wins: 2
