Picture Credit: X
On Sunday, November 16, South Africa defeated India by 30-run margin in the first Test at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata to go 1-0 up in the two-match Test series. After restricting the Temba Bavuma-led side to 153 runs in 54 overs on day three, the hosts could not chase the mere 123-run target, courtesy some brilliant bowling from Simon Harmer, thus losing the game by 30 runs.
Earlier, Protean skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first on a Eden Gardens pitch which looked a bit subcontinental in nature. However, the visitors did not look good at the start as they were bundled out at the score of 159 in just 55 overs, courtesy a five-wicket haul from Jasprit Bumrah, along with two key wickets each by Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav.
In reply, Team India had a decent start as but Marco Jansen gave them a shock in Yashasvi Jaiswal’s wicket, who departed after scoring just 12 off 27 deliveries. However, promoted to number three, Washington Sundar looked good alongside KL Rahul as the duo added 57 runs. While Sundar fell to Simon Harmer, Indian skipper Shubman Gill walked off retired hurt after injuring his neck, followed by a quick wicket of KL Rahul. Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja once again stitched a key stand in the middle, but were dismissed at the score of 27 each. Eventually, the hosts were restricted to 189/10, taking a 30-run lead.
Simon Harmer's 8/51 denies India a win in Kolkata Test
The Protean side once again took the guards in the middle, but fell like a pack of cards. Skipper Temba Bavuma was the sole man standing, scoring an unbeaten 55 off 136 deliveries and putting up a 123-run target for the home side. This time, Ravindra Jadeja was among the pick of the bowlers, as he scalped four wickets in his 20 overs along with Md Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav getting two whereas Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah got one each to their name.
During the run-chase, the Indian team, who were without their skipper Shubman Gill, looked out of touch as they fell to Simon Harmer’s attack. All-rounder Axar Patel was the top-scorer for India, but Harmer stole the spotlight with his figures of 4 for 21 in his 14-over spell, being adjudged the Player of the Match.
With the Protean side taking a 1-0 lead in the series, the Men in Blue will look to come out good in the second Test, scheduled to be played from November 22 to 26 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
