India need a record-breaking effort to win 1st Test: Target above 100 chased only once at Eden Gardens

In the absence of an injured Shubman Gill, India got off to a poor start in the run chase. As Temba Bavuma’s gritty 55 helped South Africa set a target of 124 against hosts India on a tough track at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India need a record-breaking effort to win the first Test of the series.

What’s the highest run chase at Eden Gardens?

Only once a target over 100 has been successfully chased down at the venue. The target of 117 was chased down by India against South Africa with eight wickets in hand in 2004. It was under current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly's leadership.

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India's other successful run chase at the venue came in 1993. After following on, England set a target of 79. India chased down the target with eight wickets in hand.

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England have chased down successfully against India twice (1977 and 2012) whereas Australia did it in 1969.

On the other hand, the highest score in the fourth innings of a Test at Eden Gardens is 325/3. The Test against West Indies in 1949 ended in a draw. In the 21st century, the highest score in fourth innings belongs to Pakistan. The visitors scored 226 in the run chase of 422 and lost the match by 2005.

Will end Bavuma’s unbeaten Test run as skipper?

If India chase down the target of 124, they will also became the first team to hand a defeat to Bavuma since he took over Test captaincy.

India lose early wickets

India lost both openers in the first session. Yashasvi Jaiswal departed for a four-ball duck, edging one to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. In his second over, Marco Jansen dismissed KL Rahul as well. Rahul scored just one run from six deliveries.

In the absence of Gill, Dhruv Jurel walked out to bat at no.4. Sundar and Jurel returned to the pavilion after lunch break. India were 10/2 after seven overs, needing 114 more runs to win the Test.