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India‘s first innings concluded on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test as they were eventually bowled out for a disappointing total of 189 runs. In reply to South Africa’s modest score of 159, the hosts managed to secure a slender lead of just 30 runs, far below expectations for a formidable batting lineup.
IND vs SA: India’s middle order meltdown squanders Jasprit Bumrah’s foundation
The Indian innings was defined by a critical middle-order meltdown that saw the team fail spectacularly to capitalize on the advantageous position established by their bowlers on Day 1. After dismissing South Africa for a low total of 159, India’s batting performance was expected to build a commanding lead, but instead, they were bundled out for a mere 189 runs, yielding a fragile lead of just 30 runs, a marginal difference that effectively negated the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah‘s opening day five-wicket haul.
The rapid fall of wickets was instigated primarily by the South African spin attack, with Simon Harmer proving particularly effective on the turning pitch, extracting sharp turn and bounce, striking crucial blows at critical junctures by removing Washington Sundar (29), Ravindra Jadeja (27) and Dhruv Jurel, ensuring the partnerships could not solidify.
Keshav Maharaj also played a key role, claiming the wicket of the set batter KL Rahul (39), demonstrating the sustained pressure applied by the Proteas from both ends. Despite the late efforts of the lower-order batters, the damage had been done, and the collective failure of the specialist batters proved too costly for the home team, as every top and middle-order batter who got a start was unable to convert their potential into a substantial, match-defining score.
Compounding the issue was the forced retirement of captain Gill due to a painful neck spasm, which further unsettled the batting lineup during the critical collapse phase. The lack of application and conversion on a tricky, spinning surface became the central theme of India’s disappointing batting performance throughout the day, and the final tally of 189 was a clear indictment of the batting unit, proving that South Africa’s disciplined bowling was superior to India’s home batters. This disastrous run of form meant India squandered the opportunity to take a comfortable lead of 70 to 100 runs, and the immediate momentum shifted entirely back to the tourists, who now face only a small deficit heading into their crucial second innings.
IND vs SA: South Africa’s disciplined bowling led by Simon Harmer secures parity in the match
South Africa’s disciplined and relentless bowling attack executed a near-flawless strategy to bundle India out cheaply, successfully securing crucial parity in the Test match despite their own poor first-innings batting performance. The visiting bowlers successfully restricted the hosts to 189, ensuring the run deficit was minimal and allowing them to immediately mount a counter-attack in the second innings with fresh intent, minimizing the damage and preventing India from stretching the lead beyond the vital 50-run mark needed to assert control.
The successful plan was effectively centered on exploiting the characteristics of the Eden Gardens surface, which offered significant turn, grip, and variable bounce from the beginning of Day 2, with the spin duo of Harmer and Maharaj operating with remarkable precision, targeting the stumps and successfully inducing errors from the Indian middle order. Harmer’s ability to consistently extract sharp turn and lift ensured he dismantled the lower-middle-order, confirming the pitch was offering substantial assistance to the spinners, while the fast bowlers, led by the pace and aggression of Corbin Bosch, also contributed effectively, leading directly to Rishabh Pant‘s dismissal.
Here’s how fans reacted:
8 batters khelake bhi 200 paar ni horhe in Home conditions 😭🤦🏽♂️…..why do you even have to play on such pitches when uk u can be cooked if you lose the toss? 🤷🏽♂️🏏
— Sanskar Gemawat (@thatSanskariGuy)
Such a dismal pathetic display of batting again by India on little challenging turning pitch & foolishness of management to fill part time all rounder batters & 2 keepers in batting. Treating it like T20Is. Terrible approach
— Akshat Tiwari (@Akshat5797)
Disappointed with Shubman Gill.
Should've come to bat. Captain needs to set the example.
30 runs lead is NOTHING. Siraj will give away that in his first spell itself.
— Strike1andout (@Strike1AndOut)
We bat so much better in overseas tests than we do in India and that's exactly why we need to play on better surfaces at home like we did against West Indies. Don't we have that much trust in our bowlers to pick 20 wickets on good surfaces?
— Prantik (@Pran__07)
Another Self Goal by BCCI
— Micheal Samachar (@Sabya639)
I Think India's Home matches Dominance has been Ended in New Zealand series and downfall of Dominance is Over sad But True 😐💔
— crikestival (@Crikestival)
Just like how our batting line up can be got at I can say the same about the Indian batting unit, something I said before the series started. Whoever out bats the other will end up winners.
— Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0)
Have the indian curators not learnt anything after the NZ series loss last year to not prepare raging turners. The eden gardens pitch is answering those questions
— Clint Stevens (@clintstevens123)
Gambhir really went back to defensive and got a turner prepared 🙂
As per reports, the pitch wasn't watered a day before the Test was allowed to dry through. That's why you have turn early on Day 2 here
India may still win this series 2-0, but it won't hide suboptimal planning
— Gaurav Nandan Tripathi | गौरव नंदन त्रिपाठी (@Cric_Beyond_Ent)
Terrible pitch. Gambhir hasn't learnt a lesson from the whitewash last year. Definitely dropping this test or next test
— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi)
