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Match Highlights: South Africa Stuns India on Day 3 at Eden Gardens
The first Test of the South Africa tour of India 2025 concluded dramatically on Sunday at Eden Gardens, where South Africa pulled off an unbelievable comeback to secure a 30-run victory, their first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years. The low-scoring epic saw both teams struggle on a demanding pitch, but the Proteas’ resolve in the face of adversity proved the difference.
South Africa’s Crucial Second Innings Fight
Starting Day 3 at 93/7 with a slender lead, South Africa managed to defy the Indian bowlers thanks to their captain and the lower order.
- Bavuma Anchors the Tail: Captain Temba Bavuma displayed immense resilience on a tricky surface, guiding the tail with a fighting, unbeaten 55 runs.
- Lower Order Support: He found valuable support from Corbin Bosch, who contributed a quick 25 runs, pushing the team’s total to 153 before the final wicket fell. This crucial resistance extended the target to 124—a total deemed modest but ultimately pivotal.
- Indian Bowling Effort: Despite the lower-order frustration, Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of India’s bowlers in the second innings.
India’s Shocking Collapse in the Chase
Needing only 124 for victory, India’s pursuit became a humiliating capitulation, resulting in the team being bowled out for just 93 runs—their lowest-ever successful chase failure at home.
- Early Damage: India’s hopes were dashed immediately by the loss of openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) and KL Rahul (1) early in the innings. The absence of injured captain Shubman Gill was keenly felt.
- The Spin Choke: South Africa’s bowling attack was relentless, exploiting the conditions perfectly. Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the chief destroyer, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 wickets for just 21 runs in the fourth innings.
- Brief Resistance: Only lower-order efforts from Washington Sundar (31) and Axar Patel (26) offered any meaningful resistance. Axar briefly raised hopes with late boundaries before his aggressive approach was cut short by Keshav Maharaj.
- Proteas Strike Hard: Apart from Harmer’s dominance, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj each claimed two key wickets, with Aiden Markram chipping in with one, ensuring the hosts never built a substantial partnership.
The dramatic 30-run margin of defeat highlighted a lack of composure in the Indian batting lineup on a pitch that demanded application, granting South Africa a valuable 1-0 series lead.
Match Summary
| Innings | Score | Top Performer |
| South Africa (1st) | 159 | |
| India (1st) | 189 | KL Rahul (39) |
| South Africa (2nd) | 153 | Temba Bavuma (55*) |
| India (2nd) | 93 | Washington Sundar (31) |
Result: South Africa won by 30 runs.
Image Credits: Crick 12
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