Kolkata, November 14, 2025 — Jasprit Bumrah produced a spell of breathtaking fast bowling to dismantle South Africa for a mere 159 on the opening day of the first Test at the iconic Eden Gardens. Captain Temba Bavuma’s decision to bat first backfired immediately as the Proteas collapsed under relentless pressure. India closed the rain-hit day at 37/1, trailing by 122 runs, before bad light ended play prematurely after just 20 overs.

India’s Dream Start, South Africa’s Early Nightmare

Under partly cloudy skies and in front of more than 30,000 spectators, former India great Anil Kumble rang the ceremonial bell to kick off the Test. South Africa, buoyed by their recent World Test Championship triumph, began steadily. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram stitched together a solid 50-run stand, with Rickelton confidently driving Siraj for early boundaries.

But the moment Jasprit Bumrah took the ball, the script flipped.

Returning after a minor niggle, the Indian pace ace struck twice in rapid succession.

• He first knocked over Rickelton with a late seaming thunderbolt clocked at 140 kmph.
• In his very next over, he induced a misjudgment from Markram, with Rishabh Pant diving low to complete a sharp catch.

Kuldeep Yadav then trapped Bavuma lbw for 18 after a tight DRS review, before Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder attempted a brief revival with a 43-run partnership. That too ended abruptly as Bumrah returned to jag one back viciously and uproot de Zorzi’s stumps.

After lunch, the slide became a freefall.
Siraj delivered a superb spell with the reversing ball, removing both Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the same over. Axar Patel added Bosch to the list, leaving South Africa tottering at 108/7.

Bumrah then polished off the tail with clinical precision, dismissing Harmer and trapping Maharaj lbw with a pinpoint yorker to complete his five-wicket haul.

His final figures — 5/27 in 18.3 overs — marked his 16th Test fifer, drawing him level with legendary spinner B.S. Chandrasekhar on India’s all-time charts.

India’s Calm Reply Before Light Ends Play

With South Africa folded shortly after tea, India walked out with nearly 90 minutes to bat. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul started watchfully against good new-ball spells from Mulder and Bosch. Jaiswal, returning to the Test side after the England tour, fell for 12 when he edged Jansen to Verreynne.

Rahul looked composed on 8*, while nightwatchman Washington Sundar negotiated the tricky final overs with maturity, remaining unbeaten on 6*.

Drizzle briefly halted play, but it was the deteriorating light that finally forced umpires Chris Gaffaney and Rod Tucker to call early stumps.

Pant Shines on Return; Gill Impresses as Stand-In Captain

Back in the Test side after more than two years, Rishabh Pant was electric behind the stumps—pouching a diving catch to dismiss Markram and a neat take off Verreynne. His energy and chatter returned an edge to India’s fielding unit.

Stand-in captain Shubman Gill, filling in for the injured Rohit Sharma, earned praise for sharp field placements and smart bowling rotations. Cool, composed, and alert, Gill said after play:

“We knew the pitch would offer movement early on. Bumrah delivered exactly what we hoped for.”

Stump-Mic Spark: Bumrah’s Quip on Bavuma Goes Viral

A moment of stump-mic banter stirred conversation online after Bavuma’s lbw dismissal. As the South African captain reviewed the decision (unsuccessfully), Bumrah was heard saying, “Bauna bhi toh hai…”, a cheeky reference to Bavuma’s height.

While some viewers laughed it off, others debated its appropriateness. Bavuma later dismissed the chatter:

“Part of the game — it adds flavor.”

Bumrah clarified that it was “friendly team chatter” without malicious intent.

What to Expect on Day 2

Day 2 promises absorbing cricket. India will aim to build a solid first-innings lead on a pitch that is expected to flatten out. South Africa’s hopes of clawing back depend on early breakthroughs, though the absence of Kagiso Rabada (injured) leaves a significant void in their attack.

The series moves to Cape Town next week, but for now, Eden Gardens is primed for another gripping day.

Scorecard Snapshot

South Africa 1st Innings: 159 all out (48.3 overs)

Rickelton 22 b Bumrah
Markram 0 c Pant b Bumrah
Bavuma 18 lbw b Kuldeep
de Zorzi 24 b Bumrah
Mulder 19 lbw b Kuldeep
Stubbs 15*
Verreynne 12 c Pant b Siraj
Jansen 0 b Siraj
Bosch 9 lbw b Axar
Harmer 5 b Bumrah
Maharaj 0 lbw b Bumrah
Extras: 35

Fall of wickets: 50, 50, 62, 105, 108, 120, 120, 154, 159, 159

Bowling: Bumrah 5/27, Siraj 2/32, Kuldeep 1/28, Axar 1/15, Jadeja 1/20

India 1st Innings: 37/1 (20 overs)

Jaiswal 12 c Verreynne b Jansen
Rahul 8*
Sundar 6*
Extras: 11

Fall of wickets: 23

Bowling: Bosch 0/10, Mulder 0/8, Jansen 1/15, Maharaj 0/3

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