New Delhi: South Africa ended a 15-year wait for a Test win in India as the rank turner haunted the Men in Blue. The Proteas took the lead in the two-match series with a thrilling 30-run victory over the hosts at Eden Gardens. India were chasing just 124 but fell short at 93/9 on Day 3.
The bowlers dominated the series, but it was in the second innings that South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten half-century took them to a three-figure total, as scoring over 100 on an Eden Gardens pitch has always been tricky.
Things worsened for India when Shubman Gill got injured, leaving the Men in Blue’s top order struggling. Simon Harmer capitalised on the opportunity, producing a masterclass in spin to dismantle the home side’s chase and seal the series on Day 3. Here are the key takeaways from India vs South Africa 1st Test.
Simon Harmer shines with 4-wicket haul
Simon Harmer was the star of the show, taking 4/21 as India struggled to negotiate the turn on a rank Eden Gardens pitch. He first removed Dhruv Jurel, then trapped stand-in captain Rishabh Pant, later dismissed Ravindra Jadeja again, and finally Kuldeep Yadav for just one run. In the first innings, he had already accounted for Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel and Axar Patel. His control and precision made India’s modest target of 124 look far more challenging than it should have been.
Shubman Gill injury: a major blow
India’s hopes were dented before the day even began, with captain Shubman Gill ruled out due to a neck spasm sustained on Day 2. His absence meant Men in Blue’s chase started virtually a wicket down and the early dismissals of openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) and KL Rahul (1) further compounded the pressure. The top order’s inability to handle the seam and spin combination left India reeling and exposed to a relentless bowling attack.
Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch crucial partnership
South Africa’s game got elevated as a vital 44-run partnership between captain Temba Bavuma (55*) and Corbin Bosch (25). Their calm presence helped the visitors reach a three-figure lead, providing enough runs to defend and test India’s chasing ability on the tricky pitch. Bavuma’s unbeaten knock was a measured display of temperament as he guided the Proteas to a defendable total of 123.
India’s top order fails, Sundar lone warrior
India’s middle and lower order struggled to cope with spin and seam alike. Washington Sundar was the only batter to resist for an extended period in the second inning, scoring 31 off 92 balls in a gritty valiant effort. Axar Patel attempted to accelerate but he fell cheaply to Keshav Maharaj. The home side’s inability to chase a three-figure target at Eden Gardens continues a worrying pattern with India now having lost two matches under coach Gautam Gambhir while chasing under 150 at home.
India’s dubious Test chasing record continues at home
This defeat adds to India’s struggles in chasing modest totals at home. The team has only won once in 13 attempts when pursuing a three-figure target at Eden Gardens. No other team has lost even once at home while chasing a target under 150 in the 21st century. Their last year 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand as they denied hosts a 147-run chase at the Wankhede Stadium, losing by 25 runs.
Can India turn tides in Guwahati?
With the series poised at 1-0, India will need to regroup and rethink strategies ahead of the second Test in Guwahati from November 22. Men in Blue need adjustments to the line-up and approach against turning tracks will be crucial if the hosts hope to salvage a draw or level the series. Meanwhile, South Africa will head to the northeast with rare momentum and confidence, having ended a long-standing drought with an unforgettable win at Eden Gardens.