INDvSA-1stTEST-2025 : Powered By Temba Bavuma’s Gritty Batting And Spinner Simon Harmer 8 Wicket Haul, South Africa Stun India By 30 Runs

Picture : ICC / X

Defending WTC Champions South Africa  produced a fine all- round show on a viciously turning pitcth at Eden Gardens, Kolkata to win the first Test of the Two – match series  by 30 runs agianst hosts India .

Proteas  Skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat firat . And the move back- faired as the Proteas  could manage  a mere 159 total in the first innings. The batsmen got the starts but could not carry on . The scores tell the story – Aiden Markram ( 31), Ryan Rickelton ( 23), Wiaan Mulder ( 24), Bavuma ( 3), Tony de Zorzi ( 24), Tristan Stubbs not out 15, Kyle Verreynne ( 16) , Marco Jansen ( 0), Corbin Bosch ( 3), Simon Harmer ( 5), Keshv Maharaj ( 0)

Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded the bolwing attack with fine figures of 5/27 .  Well backed-up by the likes of Mohammed Siraj 2/47, Axar Patel 1/21, Kuldeep Yadav 2/36, Ravindra Jadeja 0/13, Washington Sundar 0/3

The onus was now on the Indian batting to bat South Africa out the Test match. On pitch where was a turn  and needed application and cool head Indian batting struggled to get a first Innings lead.   India could manage a below par 189 and modest lead of just 30 runs .  Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal ( 12), K L Rahul ( 39 ) , Washington Sundar ( 29), Skipper Shubman Gill  ( 4) retired hurt with sprained neck injury for 4 ( injury would not allow him to bat in the second innings and also miss the second Test)  . Rishabh pant ( 27 ) , Ravindra Jadeja ( 27) , Dhruv Jurel ( 14), Axar Patel ( 16) , Kuldeep Yadav ( 1), Mohammed Siraj ( 1), Jasprit Bumrah not out 1.

South African bowlers had done well to restrict the powerful india batting unit . Marco Jansen 3/35, Spinner Simon Harmer was the  star with fab figures 4/30, Wiaan Mulder 0/15, Keshav Maharaj 1/66, Corbin Bosch 1/31

Batting second , The Indian spinners were all over South Africa as they were bunded out for 153.  Ryan Rickelton ( 11) , Aiden Markram ( 4) , Wiaan Mulder ( 11). *Temba Bavuma, the skipper played the match- wiining unbetaen knock of 55. A knock that was one of grit and detrmination as wickets fell around him. Tony de Zorzi ( 2), Tristan Stubbs ( 5), Kyle Verreynne ( 9), Marco Jansen ( 13) , Corbin Bosch (25) Simon Harmer ( 7) , Keshav Maharaj ( 0)

Indian Bowling : Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bolwers with fine figures of 4/50.  Mohammed Siraj 2/2. Jasprit Bumrah 1/24, Kuldeep Yadav 2/30, Axar Patel 1/36

India needed just 124 runs to win . A modest total was made heavy by Indian batsmen who  failed to handle high- quality spin even on their own backyard.  Yashasvi Jaiswal ( 0), K L Rahul ( 1), Washington Sundar ( 31) , Dhruv Jurel ( 13) , Rishabh Pant ( 2) , Ravindra Jadeja ( 18), Axar Patel ( 26) , Kuldeep Yadav ( 1), Jasprit Bumrah ( 0),Mohammed Siraj ( 0). Skipper Shubman Gill did not bat. India all- out for 93. South Africa winning by 30 runs and inside three days .  Much to the astonishment of the large crowd at Eden Gardens.

South Africa Bowling : Marco Jansen 2/15, Simon Harmer 4/21  was outstanding yet again, Keshav maharaj 2/37, Corbin Bosch 0/14, Aiden Markram 0/5

Both teams now head to Guwahti for the second Test on Novemnber 22.

Match: 1st Test
Venue: Kolkata | Date: Nov 14-18, 2025