Jasprit Bumrah stole the spotlight on the opening day of the first Test in Kolkata, turning India’s bold four-spinner strategy into a stage for his own brilliance. Even on a dry pitch that encouraged India to pick four spinners for the first time since 2012, it was Bumrah’s pace that stood out. He delivered a stunning spell of 14-2-27-5, grabbing his 16th five-wicket haul in just 96 innings.
South Africa started strong, racing to 57 without loss in just 10 overs. But once Jasprit Bumrah hit his rhythm, the innings completely unraveled. The visitors went from 57 for no loss to 159 all out, losing all 10 wickets for just 102 runs in the next 45 overs. Their innings lasted only four hours and 13 minutes after choosing to bat first.
It was also South Africa’s second-lowest total in men’s Tests after a fifty-plus opening stand since their readmission. Their lowest is 130 in the 2018 Cape Town Test, also against India.
India Steady After Early Loss
By the end of the day, India were 37 for one after 20 overs. KL Rahul stayed firm on 13 from 59 balls, while Washington Sundar was unbeaten on six off 38 deliveries. The only wicket to fall was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dragged Marco Jansen onto his stumps while trying to play close to his body.
Rahul and Sundar were in no hurry, especially with the pitch showing signs of variable bounce. They calmly reduced the deficit to 122 in front of more than 36,000 fans at Eden Gardens. As the light dimmed, South Africa packed the bat with close-in fielders and used five bowlers in search of a breakthrough, but India held steady.
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South Africa’s Bright Start Fades Quickly
Without their premier fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, who missed the match due to a rib injury, South Africa looked set for a big score early on. Aiden Markram played with confidence, scoring 31 off 48 balls with five fours and a six. Ryan Rickelton added a brisk 23 off 22, hitting four boundaries and keeping India under pressure.
Markram, after playing out 23 dot balls, opened up with a lovely straight drive and a flowing cover drive. He punished Axar Patel twice and even produced a stylish late cut past the backward point. His six over midwicket off Axar lifted the run-rate above five per over. Rickelton’s aggressive intent added to India’s early worries.
Just before the drinks break, though, Jasprit Bumrah completely changed the tone of the morning. Bowling from the Clubhouse end, he struck twice in five balls across successive overs. His first spell read an incredible 7-4-9-2. A 140 kmph length ball straightened late and knocked out Rickelton’s off stump. Minutes later, a short-of-length delivery jumped sharply and brushed Markram’s glove, showing the pitch’s unpredictable bounce.
Jasprit Bumrah Returns to Clean Up the Middle Order and Tail
After lunch, Jasprit Bumrah trapped Tony de Zorzi for 24 with a delivery that skidded on. Later, reverse swing helped him tear through the lower order. Simon Harmer’s stumps were rattled, and three balls later Keshav Maharaj was pinned plumb in front, completing Bumrah’s five-wicket haul.
Siraj and Kuldeep Keep the Pressure On
Mohammed Siraj, who had a rough first session, leaking 34 runs from six overs, bounced back in style. In his 10th over, he removed Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen within four balls. Verreynne, who made 16, used up South Africa’s last review after being struck pad-then-bat, while Jansen was bowled by a reversing ball that nipped in sharply.
Kuldeep Yadav played his part too, taking the key wicket of captain Temba Bavuma, thanks to a sharp catch at leg slip by Dhruv Jurel. He later dismissed Wiaan Mulder, who had looked solid during his 24-run stay.
Middle-Order Resistance Doesn’t Last Long
After the early dismissals of Bavuma and the openers, Mulder and Tony de Zorzi tried to rebuild. Mulder stayed patient for more than 50 balls and handled India’s spin attack well at first. But 15 minutes into the second session, he lost concentration. Attempting a reverse sweep against Kuldeep, he missed it completely and was trapped lbw. That wicket opened the door, and India quickly tightened their grip with Bumrah and Siraj’s strikes.
Axar Patel chipped in too, dismissing Corbin Bosch before tea as India maintained constant pressure throughout the innings.
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