Pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass in fast bowling, ripping through South Africa’s batting line-up with a brilliant five-wicket haul as India bundled out the visitors for just 159 on the opening day of the first Test at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens on Friday.
South Africa, the reigning World Test Champions, elected to bat first but struggled to cope with India’s disciplined bowling attack. The visitors lasted only 55 overs, losing wickets at regular intervals and failing to build any substantial partnerships apart from the early stand between openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton.
Bumrah’s fiery spell after tea saw him dismiss Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj—the latter for a duck—to wrap up the innings and complete his 16th Test five-for since his 2018 debut. His ability to strike in short bursts once again proved decisive, shifting the momentum sharply in India’s favor.
South Africa entered the contest already handicapped, missing their premier pacer Kagiso Rabada, who was ruled out due to a rib injury. Despite that setback, they began the morning on a positive note. Markram and Rickelton started confidently, putting on a brisk 57-run opening stand, with solid footwork and intent against India’s new-ball attack.
Markram, though watchful early on, opened his account after 23 deliveries with a picture-perfect straight drive off Mohammed Siraj, drawing applause from the Eden Gardens crowd. India introduced spin early, with Axar Patel coming on in the eighth over, but Markram greeted him with another pair of boundaries, signaling positive intent.
But the momentum didn’t last long. Bumrah’s introduction changed the complexion of the innings. He first shattered Rickelton’s stumps for 23, sending the crowd into raptures. Soon after, he produced one of the deliveries of the day—sharp, rising, and perfectly directed—to force an edge off Markram’s glove. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, making a much-anticipated return, completed a stunning diving catch to send the opener back for 31.
At 57 for 2, India gained the upper hand, and they didn’t loosen their grip. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav kept the pressure high with his guile and variations, removing the South African captain Temba Bavuma for just 3, caught smartly at leg slip. His control at one end complemented India’s pace attack superbly.
Middle-order batters Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi attempted a brief recovery, each contributing 24 and guiding the team past 100. Their intent carried South Africa to lunch, but the respite was short-lived. Kuldeep trapped Mulder lbw soon after the break as the batter attempted an ill-advised reverse sweep. Replays confirmed it was crashing into the stumps, and Mulder walked back after wasting a review.
De Zorzi followed a similar fate as Bumrah returned to the attack. The batter played defensively, but a precise delivery struck him in front. For the second time in the innings, South Africa burned a review as ball-tracking revealed it was hitting the stumps.
Just when South Africa looked like they might edge closer to a respectable total, Siraj delivered a quick double blow. He trapped Kyle Verreynne lbw for 16 and then bowled Marco Jansen for a duck within four balls, leaving the lower order in complete disarray.
The tail offered little resistance. Bumrah wrapped things up clinically, dismissing Harmer and Maharaj in the same over after tea. His closing burst epitomized his lethal ability to dismantle batting lineups in clusters. With figures that cemented his place among modern fast-bowling greats, Bumrah ensured India ended Day 1 firmly on top.
South Africa will now rely heavily on their bowlers—minus Rabada—to claw back into the match. Meanwhile, India’s batters will look to take control and set up a dominant lead on a pitch offering bounce and turn but still favorable for batting early in the innings.
The Eden Gardens crowd, treated to an enthralling day of cricket, will expect India to push hard toward a commanding position as the match progresses.
