India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test Day 1: India seized control of the first South Africa Test in Kolkata as Jasprit Bumrah...
India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test Day 1: India seized control of the first South Africa Test in Kolkata as Jasprit Bumrah produced a classic spell to finish with 5-27, dismantling the visitors for 159 on Friday.
On a surface expected to ease out for batting, South Africa chose to take first strike in the series opener but unravelled inside 55 overs, never recovering from a series of rapid blows delivered by India’s attack.
South Africa were already on the back foot before the toss fallout was complete, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to a rib injury. His absence stretched the balance of their XI and left the Proteas leaning heavily on Marco Jansen, who eventually picked up the only Indian wicket to fall — Yashasvi Jaiswal bowled for 12.
The early bright spot for the visitors was a steady opening partnership. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton added 57, with Markram taking 23 balls to get going before unveiling a crisp straight drive off Mohammed Siraj. Axar Patel entered as early as the eighth over, only for Markram to counter with more boundaries. But once Bumrah returned after tea, the momentum flipped sharply. He bowled Rickelton for 23, sparking loud celebrations among the 36,000-strong crowd, and followed it with a rising delivery that drew a glove from Markram, dismissed for 31 via a diving take from Rishabh Pant.
Kuldeep Yadav complemented Bumrah’s surge. He removed Temba Bavuma for three — neatly held at leg slip — and later trapped Wiaan Mulder lbw for 24 as the batter attempted a reverse sweep. Tony de Zorzi also made 24 before Bumrah ended his stay; both he and Mulder wasted reviews as ball-tracking confirmed the deliveries were crashing into the stumps.
Siraj cleaned up the lower order, striking twice in four balls to remove Kyle Verreynne lbw for 16 and Jansen for a duck. South Africa folded soon after.
India’s chase lasted only briefly before bad light intervened. Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) saw off the closing minutes under the floodlights, taking India to 37-1 and well positioned heading into day two.
On a surface expected to ease out for batting, South Africa chose to take first strike in the series opener but unravelled inside 55 overs, never recovering from a series of rapid blows delivered by India’s attack.
South Africa were already on the back foot before the toss fallout was complete, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to a rib injury. His absence stretched the balance of their XI and left the Proteas leaning heavily on Marco Jansen, who eventually picked up the only Indian wicket to fall — Yashasvi Jaiswal bowled for 12.
The early bright spot for the visitors was a steady opening partnership. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton added 57, with Markram taking 23 balls to get going before unveiling a crisp straight drive off Mohammed Siraj. Axar Patel entered as early as the eighth over, only for Markram to counter with more boundaries. But once Bumrah returned after tea, the momentum flipped sharply. He bowled Rickelton for 23, sparking loud celebrations among the 36,000-strong crowd, and followed it with a rising delivery that drew a glove from Markram, dismissed for 31 via a diving take from Rishabh Pant.
Kuldeep Yadav complemented Bumrah’s surge. He removed Temba Bavuma for three — neatly held at leg slip — and later trapped Wiaan Mulder lbw for 24 as the batter attempted a reverse sweep. Tony de Zorzi also made 24 before Bumrah ended his stay; both he and Mulder wasted reviews as ball-tracking confirmed the deliveries were crashing into the stumps.
Siraj cleaned up the lower order, striking twice in four balls to remove Kyle Verreynne lbw for 16 and Jansen for a duck. South Africa folded soon after.
India’s chase lasted only briefly before bad light intervened. Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) saw off the closing minutes under the floodlights, taking India to 37-1 and well positioned heading into day two.