India’s attempt to manufacture a spin-friendly pitch at Eden Gardens spectacularly backfired as they suffered a humiliating defeat to South Africa in the first Test. What was intended as a tactical ploy to unsettle the Proteas instead ensnared the hosts in a trap of their own making.
The visitors chased down India’s first-innings lead with tenacity and precision, and India, chasing a modest target of 124 in the second innings, crumbled for a mere 93. The collapse highlighted the dominance of South Africa’s spinners, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, whose sharp turn and clever variations left the Indian batters helpless.
This victory also ended South Africa’s 15-year wait for a Test win on Indian soil, their last triumph dating back to February 2010. With the game concluded in just two and a half days, it ranks among the most dramatic low-scoring Tests in recent history.
A Rare and Embarrassing Batting Failure
India have rarely lost at home while chasing such small targets. Only once before—in 2004 against Australia in Mumbai—did India falter while pursuing a total below 110, being bowled out for 93 chasing 107. Across their entire Test history, the only other instance came in 1997, failing to reach 120 against the West Indies in Barbados.
Compounding India’s woes, Shubman Gill, sidelined with a neck injury and hospitalised, was unable to bat in the fourth innings, leaving India effectively a batter short.
Score Summary:
1st Innings – South Africa: 159 all out (Jadeja & Siraj impressed)
1st Innings – India: 189 all out (India led by 30)
2nd Innings – South Africa: 153 all out (Bavuma 55*)
Target for India: 124 runs
2nd Innings – India: 93 all out (Spinners dominated)
How South Africa Built Their Comeback
Resuming on Sunday at 7 for 93, South Africa were propped up by Temba Bavuma’s gritty unbeaten 55 off 137 balls. Corbin Bosch’s useful 25 further consolidated the innings, setting India a tricky target on a deteriorating pitch. While India’s bowlers did their job early—Ravindra Jadeja claimed four wickets, and Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj picked up two each—their batting line-up failed to capitalise.
India’s Chase Turns into a Nightmare
The run chase began disastrously. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell in the very first over, followed quickly by KL Rahul, undone by Marco Jansen’s pace and bounce. Debutant Dhruv Jurel struggled to hold the innings together, scoring only 13. Rishabh Pant also fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 38 for 4.
A brief 26-run partnership between Washington Sundar and Jadeja offered fleeting hope, but both fell to Harmer and Aiden Markram, respectively. Axar Patel attempted a late counter-attack, smashing two sixes and a four off Maharaj, only to be brilliantly caught by Bavuma. Maharaj then dismissed Siraj next ball, sealing India’s humiliating collapse.
South Africa now lead the two-match series 1–0, leaving India to reflect on a rare and embarrassing defeat on home soil.