Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Before a ball was bowled, I wrote that South Africa have a wonderful opportunity to win a Test series in India for the first time since 2000. They showed why on a very difficult Eden Gardens surface.
Led by Temba Bavuma’s outstanding innings and Simon Harmer’s eight-for, South Africa won their first Test in India in 15 years. The Proteas, who did outstandingly well to conjure up a lead of 124, bowled out the Shubman Gill-less hosts for 93 to take a 1-0 lead.
Starting day three 93/7 and leading by just 63 runs, South Africa needed their deep batting lineup to come to the fore. Corbin Bosch (25) combined by Bavuma for a crucial 44-run stand that took the Proteas’ lead beyond 100. From there, the ball was in their court on a treacherous track.
Bavuma’s innings was simply outstanding, adding another feather to the magnificent cap that is his Test captaincy. To maintain a control percentage above 70% was a stunning effort. Even in the deliveries he edged, many resulted in runs as he played with soft hands. He finished unbeaten on 55 in arguably his finest Test knock.
However, a strong start for India with the bat would’ve left the Proteas with too much to do. South Africa had to start strong. Marco Jansen obliged. The left-armer, who also had an excellent Test, dismissed openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) and KL Rahul (1) very quickly, with the delivery to Rahul an unplayable brute.
India needed a Bavuma-like knock with no Shubman Gill available. Washington Sundar (31) and Ravindra Jadeja (16) looked likeliest, but their partnership was crucially cut short on 26 when Harmer trapped Jadeja LBW on the full to leave the hosts in trouble at 64/5. Aiden Markram’s golden arm got the better of Sundar with the score on 72, and it was South Africa’s match to lose from there even as Axar Patel threatened to see his team home.
Axar’s dismissal, along with Dhruv Jurel’s, were disappointing from an Indian perspective.
IND vs SA 1st Test Twitter Reactions: India lose fourth home Test under Gautam Gambhir
India’s defeat at Eden Gardens was their fourth in eight home Tests under Gautam Gambhir. Fans were critical of the surface and tactics, wondering why India employed defensive fields on the crucial third morning.
For the Proteas fans, it was another day to be proud of. The World Test Champions have enjoyed a very strong start to the next cycle, beating Pakistan and India in consecutive Tests. They were in trouble in both matches.
Temba Bavuma has not lost a Test as captain, winning 10 of 11 matches. He averages 57.00 with the bat in these games, where a number have been played on tricky surfaces. After the “bauna” controversy earlier in the Test, Bavuma stood tallest in the end, with his spinners sealing the win.
The second Test begins on Guwahati on November 22.
