The 124-run target on a Day 3 Eden Gardens pitch turned out to be too much for a Shubman Gill-less India as they lost the first Test by 30 runs. After Temba Bavuma’s gritty fifty and Marco Jansen’s early wickets, Proteas spinners tightened the screws and led their side to first win on Indian soil in 15 years.
In the run chase, Indian openers departed early. Jansen dismissed both of them before first session. Washington Sundar tried to hold on to one end while Simon Harmer chipped away from one end. Harmer dismissed Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. Jurel went for a big shot and got caught in the deep. Pant was caught and bowled whereas Jadeja was trapped in front of the stumps.
Aiden Markram ended Sundar's fight at the crease. Sundar departed for a 92-ball 31. Kuldeep Yadav had a short stay at the crease and got out lbw. Axar Patel tried to counter-attack, hit Keshav Maharaj for two sixes before Bavuma took an excellent catch. He departed for a 17-ball 26. On the next delivery, Maharaj dismissed Siraj as well to seal South Africa’s win. India were bowled out for 93 in 35 overs as skipper Gill did not walk out to bat. Gill has been hospitalised due to neck spasm.
Bavuma's fightback
Earlier in the day, South Africa staged a fightback, courtesy skipper Bavuma and all-rounder Corbin Bosch's partnership. They shared a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket. India did not use Bumrah straightaway and spinners could not get the breakthrough. Bumrah ended Corbin Bosch's stay at the crease. He scored 25 runs from 37 balls.
Bavuma reached his half-century from 122 deliveries. But, he remained stranded on the other end. After the drinks break, Mohammed Siraj broke Harmer's off stump. He scored seven runs from 20 deliveries. Then, he bowled a yorker to get rid of Maharaj for a three-ball duck. South Africa were bowled out for 153 in 54 overs. Bavuma turned out to be the only half-centurion of the innings.
Bumrah's fifer, India batters fail the spin challenge
Earlier, Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first. Bumrah picked up a fifer as the visitors were bowled out for 159 in 55 overs. Markram top-scored for them with a 48-ball 31. Siraj and Kuldeep got two wickets apiece.
In reply, no Indian batter could go on to get a big score. Rahul top-scored with 39 off 119 deliveries. Harmer claimed a four-fer in the first innings as well. Jansen took three wickets whereas Maharaj and Bosch claimed one each.India were bowled out for 189 in 62.2 overs, taking a 30-run lead.