IND vs SA, 1st Test: India manage 30-run lead in the first inning on a tricky Eden Gardens pitch

In the opening Test against South Africa, India managed a first innings total of 189, leading by just 30 runs after South Africa’s 159. Simon Harmer took 4 wickets for South Africa.

Shubman Gill retired hurt after suffering a neck injury. Image | BCCI on X

India’s first innings in the opening Test against South Africa unfolded under challenging conditions as they sought to build on the modest total set by the hosts. South Africa posted 159 in their first innings, thanks to a five-for from Jasprit Bumrah. India’s response was steady but punctuated by wickets at crucial moments, ending the innings at 189, leading by just 30 runs with one wicket remaining. Shubman Gill did not come out to bat after suffering a neck spasm.

Bumrah’s five-for in the first inning

The South African innings set the tone for a low-scoring contest. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for India, claiming 5 wickets for 27 runs in 14 overs, exploiting the helpful pitch conditions with accuracy and pace. Mohammed Siraj’s 2 wickets complemented Bumrah’s effort, while Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel chipped in with two and one wickets respectively.

The South African batsmen struggled for consistency, with their highest scorer, Wiaan Mulder, managing only 24 runs. The South African tail could not add much, as India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure.

Watch Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spell on Day 1 of Eden Test.

India’s reply with the bat

In reply, India lost early wickets but saw crucial innings from KL Rahul, who top-scored with 39 runs in 119 balls. Rahul battled hard against South Africa's persistent spin attack from the likes of Simon Harmer, who took 4 wickets for 30 runs, troubling India’s middle-order throughout.

Rahul’s innings featured four boundaries and a six but lacked the fluency required to accelerate the scoring.

Washington Sundar supported Rahul with a patient 29 and played sensibly to steady the innings. However, the early retirement of Indian captain Shubman Gill due to a neck injury was a setback, as he managed only four runs before walking off hurt at 79 for 2.

Pant scored a quick 27

Rishabh Pant continued his aggressive approach, scoring 27 runs off 24 balls, injecting some momentum with two sixes but his dismissal triggered a mini-collapse. Ravindra Jadeja offered valuable resistance, scoring 27 runs with three boundaries, but was eventually dismissed by Harmer.

The lower middle order, including Dhruv Jurel (14) and Axar Patel (16), made small contributions as the ball kept on doing tricks on the Eden Gardens pitch. With Gill not coming out to bat once again, India could only manage a 30-run lead in the first inning.

Read Also: One more century and Shubman Gill will break Virat Kohli's this record

How to watch the India vs South Africa, 1st Test?

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Score summary

India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.

First Inning: South Africa 159 (Aiden Markram 31, Jasprit Bumrah 14-5-27-5, Kuldeep Yadav 14-36-2) | India 189 (KL Rahul 39, Simon Harmer 15.2-4-30-4, Marco Jansen 15-4-35-3)

India’s fall of wickets: 1-18 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 6.6 ov), 2-75 (Washington Sundar, 34.2 ov), 2-79* (Shubman Gill, retired not out), 3-109 (KL Rahul, 39.5 ov), 4-132 (Rishabh Pant, 43.4 ov), 5-153 (Dhruv Jurel, 48.3 ov), 6-171 (Ravindra Jadeja, 54.3 ov), 7-172 (Kuldeep Yadav, 55.5 ov), 8-187 (Mohammed Siraj, 59.6 ov), 9-189 (Axar Patel, 62.2 ov)

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