The Eden Gardens in Kolkata witnessed a whirlwind of drama and attrition as India and South Africa locked horns in the first Test, with fortunes swinging wildly over the first two days. After a see-saw battle on a pitch offering unpredictable turn and bounce, India seized control by stumps on Day 2, leaving the visitors reeling at 93-7 in their second innings and holding a slender lead of just 63 runs.
It all began on November 14, 2025, when South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first in the iconic stadium, missing the services of pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada. India, meanwhile, welcomed back Axar Patel in whites. The Eden Gardens surface, notorious for its tricks, proved a stern test for batters on both sides. Jasprit Bumrah was at his fiery best, claiming a five-wicket haul (5-27) as South Africa was bundled out for 159 in their first innings. The Proteas struggled to string together partnerships, with the Indian bowlers extracting every ounce of help from the wicket.
India’s reply started cautiously on Day 1, with KL Rahul and Washington Sundar negotiating the early threat. The pair added 38 runs in the first hour, but the South African attack, led by the relentless Simon Harmer, struck back. Harmer’s off-spin proved deadly, finishing with 4-30, while Marco Jansen (3-35) and Keshav Maharaj (1-66) chipped in. India’s batting effort mirrored that of their opponents, with several players getting starts but failing to convert. Shubman Gill, unfortunately, retired hurt after feeling a twinge in his neck and could not return to bat, leaving a question mark over his participation for the rest of the match.
KL Rahul top-scored with 39, falling to Maharaj, while Washington Sundar contributed a gritty 29 off 82 balls, including two boundaries and a six. Rishabh Pant, standing in as acting skipper in Gill’s absence, provided a brief counterattack with 27 off 24 balls, peppered with two sixes, before succumbing to a bouncer from Corbin Bosch. The Indian lower order folded quickly, with only Axar Patel (16) offering resistance. Ravindra Jadeja, ever the reliable all-rounder, added 27 off 45 balls and, in the process, crossed 4,000 Test runs—joining an illustrious club of all-rounders with 300 wickets and 4,000 runs, alongside Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori.
India's innings ended at 189, just 30 runs ahead of South Africa. But the slender lead would soon prove vital. As South Africa began their second innings, the pitch had already started to deteriorate, offering prodigious turn and variable bounce. India’s spinners wasted no time exploiting the conditions. Axar Patel opened the attack, and Kuldeep Yadav struck right before tea, trapping Ryan Rickelton lbw for 11. The final session belonged entirely to India, as Ravindra Jadeja unleashed a masterclass in spin bowling.
Jadeja’s discipline and subtle variations left the Proteas in tatters. He removed Aiden Markram for 4, then struck twice in the 17th over—first Wiaan Mulder (11), caught behind by Pant after a snorter, and then Toni de Zorzi (2), who gloved a short ball to short leg. Tristan Stubbs was bowled for 5 by a beauty that turned sharply, and Kyle Verreynne’s (9) ill-advised slog sweep off Axar Patel saw his stumps shattered. Marco Jansen attempted to counterattack with a quick 13, including a six, but perished to a sharp catch by KL Rahul off Kuldeep Yadav.
Through the carnage, South Africa’s skipper Temba Bavuma stood firm. Battling the elements and a hostile Indian spin trio, Bavuma reached 29 not out off 78 balls by stumps, with Corbin Bosch (1*) for company. The light meter made an unwelcome appearance late in the day, with bad light forcing an early close for the second consecutive evening. Fifteen wickets had tumbled on Day 2 alone, as the pitch continued to deteriorate and batting became a game of survival.
“Playing attacking cricket is the only option as a batter,” Axar Patel told host broadcaster Ravi Shastri. “We can’t have a defensive mindset because you are never in. So we have to convert the loose balls. Patience is key on this surface. If we can keep them below 125, it should be chaseable tomorrow.” Patel also noted the two-faced nature of the surface, saying, “It looks even from one end, but is doing a lot from the other end, turning and bouncing. You need to attack the stumps and bowl with a positive mindset.”
South Africa’s hopes now rest squarely on Bavuma’s shoulders. The Proteas haven’t won a Test in India in 15 years, and with their lead just 63 runs and only three wickets in hand, the odds appear stacked against them. The Indian bowlers, especially Jadeja (4-29) and Kuldeep Yadav (3-35), have been relentless, supported ably by Axar Patel’s tight lines and lengths. As for South Africa, Simon Harmer’s 4-30 in the first innings was a silver lining, but the absence of Rabada and the lack of big partnerships have left them in a precarious position.
The match has also seen its share of drama and concern. Shubman Gill’s neck spasm forced him to retire hurt, and he did not return to bat, while Dhruv Jurel received treatment on his right hand after a blow in the field. The quick deterioration of the surface has made every run and wicket a precious commodity. Even the umpires have struggled with the light, with the floodlights coming on early and the light meter frequently in use.
What’s next? Day 3 promises more intrigue as India look to wrap up the South African innings quickly and chase down what would be a tricky target on a surface that’s only getting tougher. As one commentator noted, “The ball has been calling the shots. We’re yet to see a team even reach 200, and forget about half-centuries—nobody’s even come close to one.”
The second Test is set to begin on November 22, 2025, at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, which will host a men’s Test for the first time after its successful stint in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. But before that, all eyes remain on Kolkata, where the first Test hangs in the balance, teetering on a knife-edge. Can Bavuma steer South Africa to a defendable score, or will Jadeja and company finish the job early? The answer awaits on Day 3, with the first ball scheduled for 9:30 am IST.
No matter which way it goes, this Test has already delivered a feast of drama, skill, and resilience—true to the spirit of cricket at Eden Gardens.
