World champions South Africa outclassed India by 30 runs in the first Test of the two-match series on Day 3 at Eden Gardens. While chasing 124 in the fourth innings, India were bowled out for 93 and lost the match. Given the way the pitch was behaving, any target above 100 was challenging.

Bavuma again showed why they are world champions. The composed knock by South African captain Temba Bavuma in the second innings guided his team to a total that proved enough to defend. The eighth-wicket partnership between Bavuma and Bosch turned out to be decisive.

India looked in control at the end of the second day, but Bavuma shifted the momentum. Then Simon Harmer (4/21) and Marco Jansen (2/15) wreaked havoc on the Indian batters and bowled them out for a double-digit score. Washington Sundar remained the highest scorer for India in the fourth innings.

Bavuma Anchors the Fightback

Temba Bavuma remained the backbone of the innings. He scored the only fifty of the match and pushed South Africa to a strong 123-run lead on a pitch that offered sharp sideways movement and unpredictable bounce. India bowled some loose spin on the third morning, but Bavuma had already earned his breathing space with solid defence on the previous evening.

India Face a Tricky Chase

Chasing 124 was never going to be easy. Simon Harmer outbowled India’s spinners on a surface that should have suited them. Marco Jansen used the uneven bounce brilliantly and created the pressure required to defend such a small target.

India began the day on top, but their bowling choices raised eyebrows. Axar Patel opened the attack, and South Africa picked up singles without trouble. Rishabh Pant, who had handled his bowling rotation well on day two, began switching bowlers too frequently. He even used a desperate review on Bavuma when Jadeja had clearly pitched outside leg from over the wicket.

India Lose Discipline With the Ball

Jadeja bowling over the wicket showed India’s rising panic. He struggled to land the ball consistently and gave away 21 runs in seven overs. Washington Sundar, despite being one of India’s preferred home-Test spinners, was not used at all.

Bavuma found support in Corbin Bosch, who attacked Kuldeep Yadav and smashed 25 off their 44-run eighth-wicket stand. India stayed alive only because their pacers stepped up. Jasprit Bumrah hit the top of Bosch’s off stump, and Mohammed Siraj used reverse swing to dismiss Harmer and Keshav Maharaj.

Jansen Strikes Early to Rattle India

While the target was modest, India believed South Africa’s limited spin attack gave them an edge. But Jansen shocked them immediately. His two early overs removed both openers with balls that kicked off the pitch and kissed the outside edge.

Washington Sundar, now India’s No. 3, remained firm. He faced the most balls in the match and rebuilt steadily. But Dhruv Jurel mistimed a short ball to deep midwicket, the ball stopping on him at the last moment.

Harmer Turns the Game

Harmer might have begun with a lucky wicket, but he soon showed mastery. A decade after his difficult tour of India, he returned as a complete bowler. He adjusted his trajectory, varied his pace subtly, and kept landing a good length. He tied down Pant and finally dismissed him with dip and turn, taking a simple return catch.

Middle-Order Crumbles Again

India were 38 for 4 when Washington and Jadeja steadied things with a 26-run stand. But Jadeja repeated his first-innings mistake. He defended with the pad in front of the bat and fell lbw again to Harmer. It was an unfortunate end to a Test in which he crossed 300 wickets and 4000 runs.

Aiden Markram then removed Washington, who made a valiant 31 off 92 balls. Harmer followed by beating Kuldeep Yadav’s defence with a beautifully slowed delivery.

Late Hope from Axar but No Miracle

At 77 for 7, India needed something extraordinary. Axar Patel tried to provide a spark after Bavuma offered him a loosened delivery. Axar hit two sixes and a four, but when he mis-hit one, Bavuma sprinted back and completed a superb over-the-shoulder catch.

Siraj fell first ball. South Africa erupted in joy, with Kagiso Rabada cheering the loudest despite missing the Test due to a rib injury. After two previous winless tours of India, this victory meant everything.

Brief Scorecard