The opening day of the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata delivered a potent mix of on-field drama, sharp banter, and key moments that have already set social media abuzz. With Jasprit Bumrah spearheading India’s bowling attack and South African skipper Temba Bavuma returning to the Test arena, the contest has drawn attention not just for the cricket, but also for the lively exchanges caught on the stump mic.
India, having lost the toss, were asked to field first in this crucial two-match series. The morning air in Kolkata was thick with anticipation as Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took the new ball, aiming to make early inroads into the South African lineup. South Africa’s openers, Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram, strode to the crease, but it wouldn’t take long for Bumrah to stamp his authority on the proceedings.
Within the first hour, Bumrah had already made significant headway. He dismissed Ryan Rickelton with a classic piece of fast bowling, sending the stumps cartwheeling and giving India their first breakthrough. Not one to rest on his laurels, Bumrah continued to probe the South African batsmen with relentless accuracy and pace. The 31-year-old pacer from Ahmedabad was clearly in his element, and the Eden Gardens crowd responded with thunderous applause at every twist and turn.
The real flashpoint, however, came during the 13th over of South Africa’s first innings. On the very first ball of the over, Bumrah found the edge of Aiden Markram’s bat. The delivery, pitched just outside off stump, induced a tentative poke from Markram. Rishabh Pant, ever alert behind the stumps, completed a superb diving catch to send Markram back to the pavilion. This wicket put South Africa on the back foot, but the drama was far from over.
With Temba Bavuma, the South African captain, now at the crease, Bumrah turned up the heat. On the final delivery of the 13th over, Bumrah unleashed a 141 kph in-slanting ball that thudded into Bavuma’s back thigh. Instantly, Bumrah erupted in a loud appeal for LBW, convinced he had trapped the diminutive right-hander plumb in front. But wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was quick to signal that the ball had struck Bavuma too high, and Shubman Gill, captaining India in this Test, chose not to review the decision.
What followed was a moment that would soon go viral across cricketing circles. As the Indian team huddled to discuss the possibility of a review, Bumrah’s stump mic chatter was picked up for all to hear. In Hindi slang, he quipped about Bavuma’s short stature, saying, “Bauna bhi hai b******.” The comment, a cheeky jab at Bavuma’s height, drew laughter from his teammates and quickly made the rounds on social media platforms. According to the viral clip, Pant responded, “Bauna toh hai lekin upar laga hai yaha pe,” trying to reason that despite Bavuma’s height, the ball had still hit him high.
Ball-tracking technology later confirmed Pant’s assessment: the delivery was indeed climbing and would have sailed comfortably over the leg stump. Bavuma survived the appeal, albeit after taking a painful blow to the thigh. The exchange, while light-hearted, highlighted the high spirits and competitive edge both teams brought to the field. Bumrah, undeterred, wrapped up the over with another crucial wicket, completing a wicket-maiden and sending a clear message to the South African batsmen that there would be no easy runs on offer.
South Africa’s batting woes continued as Kuldeep Yadav entered the attack. The left-arm spinner struck in the 16th over, removing Bavuma for just 3 runs off 11 balls. The South African captain’s return to the Test lineup—after missing the previous series against Pakistan due to injury—was cut short as he was caught by Dhruv Jurel at leg slip. At the time of Bavuma’s dismissal, South Africa were reeling at 71 for 3 after 16 overs, facing a stern test from India’s disciplined bowling unit.
Bavuma’s presence in the playing XI had been a talking point ahead of the match. Having led South Africa to the World Test Championship title earlier in June 2025, expectations were high for the skipper’s performance. His return was seen as a boost for the Proteas, who were looking to bounce back after a challenging series against Pakistan. However, India’s bowlers had other plans, ensuring that Bavuma’s comeback was anything but smooth.
The playing XIs for both teams featured several notable names. For India, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the batting, with Shubman Gill leading the side and Rishabh Pant donning the wicketkeeping gloves. The all-round strength was provided by Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, while the bowling attack was spearheaded by Bumrah, Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav. Dhruv Jurel also featured as a specialist fielder, taking a sharp catch to dismiss Bavuma.
South Africa, meanwhile, fielded a lineup including Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. Their bowling unit was anchored by Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Keshav Maharaj, with Bavuma leading from the front—at least in spirit, if not yet on the scoreboard.
As the first session progressed, India’s bowlers maintained a stranglehold on the South African batsmen. Bumrah, in particular, was relentless, mixing sharp bouncers with probing deliveries that kept the visitors guessing. His double strike—removing both openers in quick succession—set the tone for India’s dominance in the field. Kuldeep’s timely breakthrough further compounded South Africa’s troubles, leaving the Proteas searching for answers as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
Off the field, the viral stump mic moment added a lighter touch to the intense proceedings. Social media was flooded with memes and reactions to Bumrah’s banter, with fans and pundits alike weighing in on the exchange. While some criticized the comment as borderline inappropriate, others saw it as part and parcel of the competitive banter that defines Test cricket’s unique charm. The incident underscored the role that technology—and a little humor—now plays in shaping the narratives around international cricket.
With the match still in its early stages, both teams will be eager to seize the initiative as play continues. India’s bowlers have certainly drawn first blood, but South Africa’s middle and lower order will be determined to mount a fightback. The Eden Gardens pitch, with its traditional bounce and carry, promises more twists as the Test unfolds.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Jasprit Bumrah—not just for his clinical bowling, but for a viral moment that has become the talk of the cricketing world. As the action at Eden Gardens continues, fans can expect plenty more fireworks—both with the ball and on the stump mic.
