Bavuma’s Unbeaten 55 and Harmer’s 8 Wickets Guide South Africa to Historic 30-Run Win Over India in Eden Gardens
Kolkata: South Africa defeated India by 30 runs in the opening Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with captain Temba Bavuma’s fighting unbeaten half-century and Simon Harmer’s second four-wicket haul proving decisive. The world champions overcame a challenging position after day two to secure a 1-0 series lead with a spirited third-day performance.
South Africa extend lead beyond 100
Starting day three at 93/7, South Africa relied on Bavuma to push their lead past three figures on a difficult surface. Corbin Bosch provided crucial support, striking the day’s first boundary by sweeping Ravindra Jadeja firmly. India reviewed an lbw decision against Bavuma in Jadeja’s next over without success. Bosch greeted Kuldeep Yadav with another boundary as the visitors added valuable runs.
Bosch launched Kuldeep over the ropes with a slog sweep that pushed the lead past 100, shifting pressure back onto India. Jasprit Bumrah broke the partnership with a low-bouncing nip-backer that crashed into the stumps. Bavuma became the first batter to reach fifty in the match before Mohammed Siraj claimed the final two wickets in one over, leaving the South African captain stranded at the non-striker’s end.
India collapse in tricky chase
Chasing 124 at Eden Gardens proved difficult for India, who were without Shubman Gill after he was officially ruled out earlier that day. The hosts lost Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over when he edged to the wicketkeeper. Marco Jansen struck again in his next over with a sharp delivery that dismissed KL Rahul, the only Indian batter to face over 100 balls in the first innings.
At 1/2, India sent Dhruv Jurel to stabilize alongside Washington Sundar. Jurel opened his account with a boundary off his second ball, while Washington looked solid heading into the lunch break.
Middle-order collapse seals India’s fate
Jurel appeared increasingly confident when he struck Bosch for two boundaries in one over, with Washington following with another boundary off the same bowler. However, once Harmer and Keshav Maharaj began bowling in tandem, India’s challenge intensified. Jurel’s poor shot selection saw him pull a long hop straight to deep midwicket. When Rishabh Pant chipped a tame catch back to Harmer, India slumped to 38/4, effectively 38/5 with Gill unavailable.
Jadeja countered with a couple of boundaries while Washington remained defiant. Washington’s resistance offered India hope as he faced more deliveries than any other batter at one stage, but Harmer struck again with Jadeja’s key wicket. Aiden Markram then found Washington’s outside edge to deliver the final blow.
Tail-end resistance falls short
India still needed 52 runs with only Axar Patel remaining among recognized batters. After Kuldeep Yadav’s dismissal, Axar launched Maharaj for two sixes and a four, but mistimed another attempt at clearing the ropes and departed. Maharaj needed just one more delivery to complete South Africa’s remarkable comeback.
Match summary
South Africa 159 (Aiden Markram 31; Jasprit Bumrah 5/27) & 153 (Temba Bavuma 55*; Ravindra Jadeja 4/50) beat India 189 (KL Rahul 39; Simon Harmer 4/30) & 93 (Washington Sundar 31; Simon Harmer 4/21) by 30 runs.