India close to win after spin masterclass at Eden Gardens vs South Africa

India took a giant step towards victory in the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, claiming 15 wickets on a day of dramatic twists and turns. By stumps on Friday, South Africa were 93 for 7 in their second innings, effectively 63 runs behind India, with three days left in the match.

The day began with India 122 runs behind and nine wickets in hand. KL Rahul and Washington Sundar steadied the innings briefly, but wickets fell in clusters as the pitch revealed itself to be far trickier than anyone anticipated. Shubman Gill retired hurt with a neck spasm, while Rahul top-scored for India with 39, highlighting the struggles on a surface that turned sharply and offered unpredictable bounce.

Spin and pace rule the day

Ravindra Jadeja was the star performer, weaving a web around the South African batsmen with 4 for 29. His accuracy, combined with subtle variations, left the visitors guessing. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel also played crucial roles, exploiting the deteriorating surface. Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul in India’s first innings set the tone for a dominant performance, putting India firmly on top at Eden Gardens.

Simon Harmer had earlier shone with 4 for 30 in India’s first innings, proving that the South African attack had evolved since their last tour of India. Marco Jansen also chipped in with 3 wickets, keeping his side afloat despite the collapse. Aiden Markram, who looked confident early on, was dismissed for just 4, showing how difficult batting had become.

Batsmen battle tough conditions

India’s batting saw glimpses of resilience. Rahul, Pant, and Jadeja offered brief resistance, but wickets fell quickly due to the sharp turn and inconsistent bounce. South Africa’s Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 29, but his side faces a daunting task to recover.

The pitch, initially expected to be a batting-friendly surface, became near unplayable as the day progressed, offering help to both spinners and pacers. With three days left, India is firmly in control, and spin-friendly conditions make a South African comeback increasingly unlikely.

Scorecard:

• South Africa: 159 & 93/7 (Bavuma 29*, Jadeja 4-29)

• India: 189 (Rahul 39, Harmer 4-30, Jansen 3-35, Bumrah 5 wickets in first innings)

• Lead: India by 63 runs

The two teams will move to Chennai for the second Test at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium starting November 22. India will aim to maintain their momentum on another spin-friendly pitch, while South Africa will be eager to regroup and counter the hosts’ spin attack. The Chennai track is expected to offer more consistent bounce than Kolkata but will still assist spinners, making it crucial for the visiting side to negotiate the middle overs carefully.