India were at 37/1 at the end of Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. India dismissed South Africa for just 159 in the first innings. The visitors had won the toss on a decent batting surface and raced to 57 without loss in 10 overs. Jasprit Bumrah (5/27 in 14 overs) wreaked havoc on South Africa. Kuldeep Yadav (2/36) and Mohammed Siraj (2/47) supported Bumrah well and helped bowl out South Africa for 159.

India Changes Bowling Strategy

India picked six bowlers and promoted Washington to No. 3 to include Axar Patel. Siraj struggled initially, and Axar conceded runs. Meanwhile, Bumrah dominated the other end, giving only nine runs in five overs. He extended his spell and delivered two unplayable balls. First, he swung one into Ryan Rickelton’s off stump. Next, he nipped one away to dismiss Aiden Markram. After his spell, South Africa were 62 for 2.

Spinners Apply Pressure

The pitch offered some help for bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav spun the ball sharply. He set a backward short leg to force edges. Temba Bavuma nicked one to Dhruv Jurel and fell. Pant returned to keep the gloves but stayed in the XI after his recent centuries.

Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder survived until lunch. But after the break, Bumrah and Kuldeep struck again. Mulder fell lbw for 24 attempting a reverse sweep. De Zorzi edged one that nipped in. In six overs, the pair added only 15 runs.

Siraj and Axar Continue the Assault

Bumrah’s deliveries started to reverse. Siraj trapped Kyle Verreynne lbw and hit Marco Jansen’s off-stump in the same over. Axar Patel returned and exploited the turn. He trapped Corbin Bosch lbw with the last ball before tea.

Bumrah Joins Elite Company

Tristan Stubbs failed to farm strike. He left Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj exposed. Bumrah removed both in one over. He moved level with BS Chandrasekhar for five-wicket hauls and joined India’s top five all-time list. South Africa posted their second-lowest first-innings score against India.

Brief Scorecard