SA VS IND 1ST TEST

Ghosts of 2024? Just a year ago, Tom Latham-led New Zealand pulled off a stunning clean sweep against India at home. Now, South Africa are sitting on a 1-0 lead in this two-Test series and eyeing the same historic feat. But the bigger question that hangs over India is their increasing vulnerability to bat against top class spin, at home, which once used to be their strength. India cannot win the series from here, but they will have to work really hard to find the equaliser as Kagiso Rabada is highly likely to be slotted back in the South African side for the second and final Test. Well then, that is a wrap from the City of Joy, which actually brought a lot of joy for the Saffas. The caravan now heads further east, in Guwahati, for the second Test of the Freedom Trophy. The Barsapara Stadium is all set to host its first-ever Test match. It will be played on Saturday, 22nd November, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 9 am IST (3.30 am GMT). But there is plenty of cricket going on elsewhere. Do follow all the live action by switching tabs. But from here, we take your leave, only to meet again. Take care, cheers!

South Africa's magic man with the ball, Simon Harmer, is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his excellent bowling stints. He snagged 4-fer in both innings. He explains that the pitch got flatter as the ball grew softer. Admits that he was in a dark place the last time he was in India with the team, having lost back-to-back Tests. Says that to fight from behind the eight ball shows exactly what this group is about and the belief they carry. There is still another Test to go, he reminds, but he wants the team to enjoy and savour this win because moments like these do not come often. Simon acknowledges that he was a bit lucky with a couple of his wickets, but adds that even good balls do not always bring rewards, and that is just how the game works. Harmer says he bleeds for the team and is more than happy to walk away with a four-fer. He also admits he was confused during the final moments, unaware that Shubman Gill would not be coming out to bat and unsure why Keshav Maharaj was celebrating.

The victorious captain of South Africa, Temba Bavuma, is a happy leader and cannot hide his smile as he walks up for a chat. He begins by saying that it is an exciting win for them. Adds that you want to be a part of these types of games and want to be on the right side of the result. Calls it a very tough wicket to bat on, but feels that they were fortunate enough to get a few things in their favor. Appreciates the way their bowlers bowled and also highlights the importance of Corbin Bosch stepping in a partnership with him when it mattered the most. Details that the wicket played a bit better this morning and wasn't as extreme as the first two days. Proudly says that it is not always that you set a target of 120-odd runs and believe you are in the game. About his batting, Temba notes that he is just comfortable with his technique and tries to stand as still as he can at the crease. Admits that he doesn't have a good record in this part of the world and has come here to do well with the bat. Further shares that it was all about the game awareness. Appreciates the way they stepped up in the absence of Kagiso Rabada. Says Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer have bolstered their bowling attack and they have shown that they can handle the pressure well. On the catch of Axar Patel, Bavuma says it wasn't an easy one and it came at a crucial moment as Axar had struck a few sixes just before that. He says, fortunately, Axar made a mistake and he was able to grab it with his small hands.

The stand-in skipper of India, Rishabh Pant, says that considering the surface, they can’t dwell on this loss too much, but they know they should have been able to chase it down. Feels that the pressure kept building and they didn’t capitalise enough in key moments. Mentions that Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch put together a brilliant partnership that really got South Africa back in the game. Believes that was a turning point, and the partnership hurt them. On tracks like this, even 120 can be tricky, but Pant admits that as a team, they should be able to soak up the pressure and find a way through.

South Africa's Keshav Maharaj is in for a chat. Shares that he felt a bit of nerves out with the way Axar Patel was batting, but the important thing was to stay clear with his plans. Adds that luckily, Bavuma held on to the catch. Mentions that Harmer showed exactly why he has more than 1,000 first-class wickets to his name. Believes that it was a real team effort and everyone showed genuine hunger and desire to get the job done.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Ravindra Jadeja brought a sense of urgency to the middle with his running but could not last long enough to alter the equation. And just as Temba Bavuma was the glue for South Africa in their second innings, it was Washington Sundar who held firm for India in the fourth innings, showing solid defence and admirable composure. Aiden Markram has so often been the partnership breaker, and it was his golden arm once again that delivered a crucial blow with the wicket of Sundar. Introducing Keshav Maharaj against Axar Patel was a gamble Bavuma was willing to take, and while it did cost a few runs initially, it eventually brought success. And once Axar was dismissed, the wheels just came off for India with the Proteas registering a memorable win.

After a shaky start to the chase before the Lunch break, India were in search of some stability as the game resumed. Marco Jansen was not on the field for the first few overs, which meant Corbin Bosch operated from one end. He was wayward with his lines, allowing the home side to score freely early in the session. Throughout this Test, there was one particular end from which the bowlers looked far more threatening, and India’s troubles began the moment Simon Harmer was introduced from that end. While Maharaj did not extract as much purchase as Harmer, he managed to keep things quiet, and Harmer reaped the rewards at the other end, including the prized scalp of Rishabh Pant, who had been kept quiet before the off-spinner won the battle against the southpaw.

The morning session, coming into the third day, belonged to South Africa in every sense. Starting on 93 for 7 with a 63-run lead, Bavuma delivered a captain's knock, grinding out a gritty half-century with Bosch providing crucial support in a 44-run stand. They milked 55 runs in the first hour, rotating strike smartly while India failed to plug the singles. Bosch fell to Bumrah, and Siraj mopped up the tail to bowl the Proteas out for 153, setting India 124 to win. But Jansen and Harmer had other ideas. With the ball doing everything - darting, leaping, dying - they bowled absolute fire upfront. India, effectively 0 for 1 with Gill ruled out, lost Jaiswal caught behind and Rahul to brutal bounce. Two down and reeling, that 124 suddenly looked like a mountain. South Africa put up a proper fight when it mattered most.

Day 2 saw the game move at a rapid pace, with 15 wickets falling across the day. India’s watchful approach late on Day 1 carried into the morning, but Simon Harmer gave the Proteas an opening, and from there they struck at regular intervals. It ended up being a tale of starts not converted, similar to how South Africa had fared in their first batting effort. Shubman Gill’s neck issue only added to India’s troubles, leaving the hosts with a slender lead of 30. In reply, South Africa faced a trial by spin, with Ravindra Jadeja leading the charge for India. Temba Bavuma held firm at one end but saw wickets tumbling at the other, leaving the Proteas with just three wickets in hand and a lead of 63 going into Day 3.

Day 1 belonged entirely to India. After opting to bat, the Proteas started brightly with Markram and Rickelton negotiating the tricky opening period, racing to 57 without loss before Bumrah flipped the script. His seven-over opening spell yielded two absolute jaffas that removed both openers, and Kuldeep quickly made it three to leave South Africa reeling at 71/3. De Zorzi and Mulder steadied things briefly, but the second session was a complete disaster as the visitors crumbled under relentless pressure from Bumrah, Kuldeep, and a rejuvenated Siraj, who found reverse swing. The collapse continued into the final session as South Africa were bundled out for 159, with Bumrah claiming his 16th five-wicket haul and Stubbs left stranded. India's reply got off to a shaky start with Jaiswal struggling against the new ball before Jansen removed him, but KL Rahul and Washington Sundar saw off the remaining overs to close the day, trailing by 143 runs on a pitch offering variable bounce and just enough for the bowlers.

There will be plenty said about how Temba Bavuma led from the front, both as captain and with that brilliant 54 that gave South Africa the belief they could pull this off. And the rainbow nation has done it in some style, with their bowlers stepping up massively. Simon Harmer was sensational in that Lahore Test against Pakistan last month, and he brought that same magic to the cauldron of Kolkata, picking up 8 wickets across the match. Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen's execution with the ball was equally impressive. This was a proper Proteas fightback, gritty and relentless from start to finish. As they say, try and try until you succeed. The Proteas kept grinding, kept fighting, and finally tasted a historic victory.

Eden Gardens is steeped in cricketing folklore. It's witnessed countless moments of brilliance, and this South African victory will be etched in gold and will be talked and discussed for a long, long time. This is the same venue where South Africa was welcomed back into international cricket in 1991 and now, in 2025, they have beaten a strong Indian side in their backyard, in front of 40,000 odd spectators rallying behind their home team. It took them 15 long years to beat India, in India and this is their second win in Kolkata in Test cricket. The Test may have lasted for just more than two and a half days, but it has served thrill, action, and intensity in equal measure.

No more participation from the injured player and there's absent hurt written against the name of Shubman Gill.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Jubilation for South Africa. Disappointment for India on home soil in the longest format. Floated up around off from round the wicket. Siraj lunges forward to defend but the ball grips and turns, catching the outside edge. It dips low towards Aiden Markram at the first slip, but he maintains his cool and takes it low to his left. Keshav Maharaj sprints across the park, and all the South African players are cock a hoop, and why not, as they have defeated India in Test cricket, in India, after 15 long years.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Jubilation for South Africa. Disappointment for India on home soil in the longest format. Floated up around off from round the wicket. Siraj lunges forward to defend but the ball grips and turns, catching the outside edge. It dips low towards Aiden Markram at the first slip, but he maintains his cool and takes it low to his left. Keshav Maharaj sprints across the park, and all the South African players are cock a hoop, and why not, as they have defeated India in Test cricket, in India, after 15 long years.

Taken low at first slip and South Africa are celebrating. The third umpire has been called into action, but the players are already shaking hands. The catch is clean with Aiden Markram staying low to cling onto the catch.

Mohammed Siraj walks out to bat.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND GONE! Keshav Maharaj has the final laugh and the gamble to take the attack on Maharaj does not pay off for Axar this time around. Keshav drops it full again, but slows it a bit through the air cunningly. It spins in from middle and Axar chances his arm once again, but goes through the shot a bit too early. The ball is skied up off the top edge and hangs up and over mid-wicket. Temba Bavuma from the inner ring backtracks it and takes a fine catch under pressure. Axar Patel departs on 26 (17) and India are 93/8. South Africa are just 1 wicket away from a historic win.