India began with a 30-run advantage, thanks largely to Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-27 in South Africa’s first innings. But their own batting faltered, with Simon Harmer (4-30) and Marco Jansen (3-35) making regular breakthroughs. Lokesh Rahul (39), Washington Sundar (29), and Rishabh Pant (27) provided brief resistance, while skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt with a neck spasm and did not return. Jadeja contributed 27 and crossed 4,000 Test runs, joining the elite 300-wicket, 4,000-run all-rounders club.
South Africa’s second innings quickly unraveled against Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep trapped Ryan Rickelton before tea, and Jadeja’s post-tea burst removed Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, and Tristan Stubbs. Patel bowled Kyle Verreynne, while Yadav dismissed Marco Jansen. Only captain Temba Bavuma (29* off 78) held firm as bad light ended play early.
With South Africa yet to build a defendable target on a treacherous surface, India hopes to restrict the visitors to under 125, a total Axar Patel believes is chaseable. The Proteas haven’t won a Test in India since 2009, and with momentum now firmly with the hosts, Day 3 could decide the match. The series continues with the second Test in Guwahati from November 22.
India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal,KL Rahul,Washington Sundar,Shubman Gill (c),Rishabh Pant (wk),Ravindra Jadeja,Dhruv Jurel,Axar Patel,Kuldeep Yadav,Jasprit Bumrah,Mohammed Siraj
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram,Ryan Rickelton,Wiaan Mulder,Temba Bavuma (c),Tony de Zorzi,Tristan Stubbs,Kyle Verreynne (wk),Marco Jansen,Corbin Bosch,Simon Harmer,Keshav Maharaj
