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Day 1 of the 1st Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, saw India take control with a sensational bowling performance, particularly from Jasprit Bumrah. After winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat, but the decision quickly backfired as the Proteas were bowled out for just 159 runs in 55 overs.
Bumrah led the charge with a devastating five-wicket haul, leaving South Africa’s batting lineup in ruins. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj also played crucial roles, each taking multiple wickets to keep the pressure on. India’s bowlers dominated throughout the day, leaving South Africa with little to no room for recovery. By the close of Day 1, India had made a steady start to their first innings, reaching 37/1, trailing South Africa by 122 runs.
IND vs SA: Jasprit Bumrah’s early breakthroughs set the tone for India
Bumrah wasted no time in stamping his authority on the game, providing India with two early breakthroughs. He first removed Ryan Rickelton for a quickfire 23, before coming back to dismiss Aiden Markram for 31, as both openers fell cheaply. Bumrah’s pace and precision were evident, as he relentlessly tested the South African batters.
His most memorable delivery of the day came when he castled Marco Jansen for a duck, with a stunning reverse-swing delivery that rattled the stumps. Bumrah’s spell was a masterclass in seam movement, as he used the pitch conditions expertly to extract both bounce and swing. His five-wicket haul was crucial in breaking the back of South Africa’s batting and ensuring India’s dominance throughout the day.
IND vs SA: Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj back up Bumrah’s brilliance
While Bumrah stole the limelight with his five-wicket haul, Kuldeep and Siraj played their parts in dismantling the South African innings. Kuldeep, who has been in excellent form recently, trapped Temba Bavuma for 3 and Wiaan Mulder for 24, both of whom struggled to deal with his variations. Kuldeep’s control and accuracy were critical as he kept the batters on the defensive. Meanwhile, Siraj, who was initially not as fiery, picked up vital wickets later in the innings, including the key scalp of Kyle Verreynne for 16, and Corbin Bosch for 3. Siraj’s discipline and consistency in his lines kept South Africa’s middle and lower order in check, and his efforts complemented Bumrah’s aggression.
IND vs SA: South Africa’s collapse leaves India in control at Tea
After South Africa had reached a relatively stable position at 105/3 by Lunch, they suffered a dramatic collapse post-Tea, losing five wickets for just 54 runs. This disintegration of their innings was marked by the loss of several wickets in quick succession, including the key dismissals of Tony de Zorzi (24), Kyle Verreynne (16) and Marco Jansen (0). Bumrah continued his dominance, while Kuldeep, Siraj and Axar Patel also made vital contributions. South Africa were ultimately dismissed for 159, leaving them trailing by 122 runs and with no real partnerships to speak of. India’s bowlers were clinical, exploiting the conditions to perfection and keeping the South African batters under pressure from start to finish.
IND vs SA: India’s steady start in challenging conditions
In their reply, India had to weather some challenging conditions, with the pitch showing signs of wear and offering assistance to the bowlers. Yashasvi Jaiswal, opening the batting, was dismissed cheaply for 12 by Marco Jansen, leaving India at 18/1. However, KL Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) played with caution to steady the ship. With Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant still to come, India will be optimistic about their chances of building a solid partnership in the coming sessions. However, with the pitch offering some assistance to the bowlers, India’s batters will need to remain vigilant to avoid a collapse of their own. At the close of Day 1, India have reached 37/1, still 122 runs behind, but with plenty of batting to follow.
Here’s how fans reacted:
16 test 5-fers for . Only 7 behind Kapil Dev’s 23. And he has achieved it in just his 51st test.
Whether he will get the most 5-fers or not, only time will tell. But he deserves to achieve it.
— Arpit Rastogi | Cricket (@arptrastogi)
Another day when it was just a privilege to watch Bumrah bowl
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Watching Jasprit Bumrah doing what he does best in Kolkata and wondering if one of the English fast bowlers will need to have a Bumrah-like series from last summer to really threaten or even topple Australia during the
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
You win a good toss and then squander positions of 57/0 and 113/3 on the first day of a 2-match Test series
It is discouraging because a start like this can easily derail a short series
We need to show enormous fight from here, and do so without Rabada
— Werner (@Werries_)
– Dominated the flat surface
– Dominated the green pitch
– Dominated slow surface
– Dominted Overseas
– Outperformed elite batters worldwideJasprit Bumrah Supremacy
— Ash (@Ashsay_)
Jasprit Bumrah finishes with 5-27 as SA bowled out for just 159 after choosing to bat first
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
I see people say the pitch is playing bad? Huh? the wicket is actually playing decently, it allows for good run scoring and there is something in it for the bowlers. Good cricket wicket. We've just been horrendous post lunch that's it.Lets not start blaming pitches again
— Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0)
The storm has a name… it’s Bumrah 👊💙
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
Steps on how to face Jasprit Bumrah
Step 1: pray 🙏
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
Day 1, Stumps
India: 37/1, trail by 122 runs 🏏
— bet88visa.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
