South Africa defeated India by 30 runs in the opening Test of the two-match series on Sunday, their first win in the country in 15 years. India were bowled out for 93 in 35 overs while chasing 124, continuing a pattern of struggles against quality spin on home pitches.The World Test Champions now lead the two-match series 1-0. The result also extended Proteas captain Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten run in Test cricket. Since taking over the role, Bavuma has led South Africa to 10 wins in 11 Tests, with the remaining match ending in a draw. His record also includes victory in the World Test Championship final against Australia.
Simon Harmer finished with eight wickets in the Kolkata Test match, outperforming India’s spin attack on a pitch expected to assist Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.It was India’s fourth home defeat in their last six Tests, a sequence that includes their 0-3 series loss to New Zealand last year. The latest result has revived questions about India’s batting on turning tracks.“We should have chased this down. The pressure kept on building in the second innings,” stand-in captain Rishabh Pant said after the match.Head coach Gautam Gambhir said the batting group needed to find ways to score. “It wasn’t an unplayable wicket. This is exactly the kind of wicket we were looking for. The curator was very supportive,” Gambhir said.Washington Sundar (31 off 92) and Jadeja (18 off 26) added resistance during the chase, but Harmer removed Jadeja before Aiden Markram dismissed Sundar. Dhruv Jurel survived an early DRS scare but fell attempting a one-handed pull. Pant managed 2 off 13 before giving Keshav Maharaj a return catch. Axar Patel (26 off 17) hit two sixes and a four but fell soon after with only Jasprit Bumrah left at the other end.India’s spin plan also faltered with the bat earlier in the day. Bavuma’s 55 not out helped South Africa move from their overnight 93 for 7 (lead 63) to 153. His stand of 44 with Corbin Bosch, who scored 25 off 37, added pressure on India.Marco Jansen (2/15) had earlier reduced India to 10 for 2 by lunch. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a four-ball duck, edging Kyle Verreynne, and KL Rahul was dismissed for 1, gloving a rising delivery.South Africa now head into the final Test in Guwahati with a chance to seal the series.
