Spinner Simon Harmer starred with a match-haul of 8 wickets, earning Player of the Match honors, while captain Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten in leadership with a resilient 55 – the only half-century in the low-scoring thriller.
Match Summary: Low Scores and Dramatic Collapse
South Africa, resuming at 93/7 on Day 3, were bowled out for 153, thanks to Bavuma's fighting knock and a crucial partnership with Corbin Bosch. Jasprit Bumrah earlier claimed 5 wickets in the first innings as the visitors managed just 159 after winning the toss.
India took a 30-run lead in their first innings (189), with KL Rahul top-scoring at 39. However, the fourth-innings chase proved disastrous. Without the injured Shubman Gill, India were bundled out for 93, with Washington Sundar (31) the highest scorer.
Key Scores:
- South Africa 1st Innings: 159 (Aiden Markram 31; Bumrah 5 wickets)
- India 1st Innings: 189 (KL Rahul 39)
- South Africa 2nd Innings: 153 (Temba Bavuma 55; Siraj key wickets)
- India 2nd Innings: 93 (Washington Sundar 31; Harmer 4 wickets, Maharaj late strikes)
The win levels the two-match series at 0-1, with the second Test looming.
Harmer's Heroics and Bavuma's Resilience Seal Famous Win
Harmer, the off-spinner, dismantled India's batting with precision on a turning track. "I asked myself some hard questions... Nice to contribute," Harmer said post-match. He praised the team's belief: "We knew we were one partnership away... Just happy with the win."
Bavuma, leading from the front, lauded his bowlers: "We needed them to bring us back... My stand with Bosch was nice." He credited luck and technique for his fifty, adding, "The captaincy is only as good as the players."
Stand-in India captain Rishabh Pant admitted the pressure mounted: "We should have chased it... That partnership hurt us. We'll come back strong."
Fourth Innings Drama: India Implodes from 10/2 at Lunch
The chase started disastrously. Yashasvi Jaiswal edged Marco Jansen in the first over, followed by KL Rahul's bouncer dismissal. At lunch, India were 10/2.
Post-lunch, Dhruv Jurel (13) and Sundar rebuilt briefly, but Harmer struck thrice – trapping Ravindra Jadeja LBW (18), catching Pant (2) off his own bowling, and inducing Jurel's mistimed pull.
Axar Patel provided late fireworks with 26 off 17 (two sixes, four, six),but Keshav Maharaj ended the resistance, dismissing Kuldeep Yadav, Axar, and Mohammed Siraj in quick succession. Siraj's edge sealed the 30-run victory.
Wicket Highlights:
- Jaiswal c Verreynne b Jansen 0
- Rahul c Verreynne b Jansen 1
- Jurel c Bosch b Harmer 13
- Pant c & b Harmer 2
- Jadeja lbw b Harmer 18
- Sundar c (Markram?) b Markram 31
- Axar c ? b Maharaj 26
- Final blows by Maharaj
Historical Context: Ending a 15-Year Drought
South Africa's last Test win in India was in Nagpur (2010) under Graeme Smith. This Eden Gardens triumph is their first since, on a pitch offering turn and variable bounce. The highest successful chase here remains 117 (India vs SA, 2004) – India's 93 falls well short.
Bavuma's side overcame missing Kagiso Rabada, with Harmer, Maharaj, and Jansen stepping up.
What's Next for IND vs SA Test Series?
With the series alive, India must regroup without Gill. Pant vowed improvements: "We can't dwell... Soak in the pressure."
