south africa vs india

south africa vs india LIVE Score & Updates: Follow the South Africa vs India match in Series1 today! Get ball-by-ball commentary, player stats, and the latest results

South Africa – 1st Innings (Total: 159)

India – 1st Innings (Total: 37/1 at Stumps)

Jasprit Bumrah Fells South Africa in First Test Thriller

Kolkata, India – November 14, 2025

The opening day of the much-anticipated first Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens belonged unequivocally to one man: India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. In a sensational display of high-class fast bowling, Bumrah claimed a devastating five-wicket haul to rout the visiting Proteas for a paltry 159, putting the home side firmly in the driving seat before the first day’s play was prematurely concluded due to bad light.

Proteas’ Promising Start Crumbles

Having won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that offered variable bounce and movement, the South African openers, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, weathered the initial new-ball threat from the Indian seamers. They stitched together a solid 57-run stand, showcasing discipline and taking advantage of anything loose. Markram, in particular, grew into his innings after a cautious start, unfurling a few characteristic drives.

However, the wheels came off in dramatic fashion shortly before and immediately after the first break. The moment of reckoning arrived with the reintroduction of Jasprit Bumrah. His two-over burst was a masterclass in pace and precision. First, he breached Rickelton’s defence, rattling the stumps to claim the first wicket. Moments later, he produced a gem of a delivery—a lifter that took Markram’s glove for 31, brilliantly snaffled by the returning wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant.

From 62/2, the innings never recovered.

Bumrah’s Five-Star Masterclass

The post-lunch session saw Bumrah’s lethal spell fully unfold. He, along with the support cast of Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj, systematically dismantled the South African middle order. Kuldeep, bowling with control and drift, removed captain Temba Bavuma and the settled Wiaan Mulder (24), whose resistance was key to the Proteas’ brief fightback.

The star, however, remained Bumrah. Operating with unrelenting accuracy and pace, he ensured no meaningful partnerships could take root. He returned later to clean up the tail, claiming the scalps of Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, and Keshav Maharaj to complete his 16th Test five-wicket haul for figures of 5/27. This spell was particularly significant as it was the first time in 17 years that an Indian fast bowler claimed a Test five-for on the opening day of a red-ball match on home soil, a testament to his unique skill set on varied Indian surfaces.

India’s Cautious Response

Trailing by 159, India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul began their innings with caution against the fresh South African pace attack, led by Marco Jansen. The visitors, energized by the hope of a quick breakthrough, bowled a tight line.

Jansen eventually provided the moment of joy for South Africa, getting the wicket of Jaiswal (12), who chopped an inside edge onto his stumps. At the close of play, with the light fading and the floodlights on, India stood at 37/1, trailing by 122 runs. KL Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) navigated a tricky final period, ensuring no further damage was done.

The day concluded with India clearly holding the psychological and statistical advantage. The challenge for the home side on Day 2 will be to convert this strong start into a significant first-innings lead. For South Africa, the task is now one of sheer grit—their bowlers must replicate Bumrah’s heroics and prevent the Indian middle-order from dictating terms. The stage is set for a gripping second day of Test cricket.

south africa vs india