Temba Bavuma’s sparkling fifty on a turning track was followed by Simon Harmer’s clinical display with the ball as South Africa secured their first Test win in India since 2010, and took a 1-0 lead in the two-Test
series.
With this result, South Africa takes the second spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Standings with 24 points and a PCT of 66.67. Before this Test, they were behind Sri Lanka and India at fourth. Now, Sri Lanka are at the third spot whereas India slip to fourth.
Each side plays three series at home and away in a WTC cycle, and positive results for South Africa in Pakistan, where they drew the series 1-1, and India mean that they’ve gained crucial points in fixtures away from home.
India enjoyed a strong opening day in Kolkata, bowling out South Africa for 159. The visitors began steadily, with openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton putting on a 57-run stand, but India struck at regular intervals to prevent any significant partnerships from forming.
Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer with a five-wicket haul, well supported by Mohammed Siraj, who claimed two wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel added two and one wickets respectively.
India ended Day 1 at 37/1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed after dragging a delivery onto his stumps off the bowling of Marco Jansen. On Day 2, KL Rahul and India’s new No.3 Washington Sundar chipped away at South Africa’s lead, stitching together a valuable 57-run partnership, India’s biggest of the innings.
However, South Africa soon retook control, with Simon Harmer leading the charge by picking up three crucial wickets. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja tried to steady the innings, but India managed to build only a slender lead of 30 runs as the hosts were bowled out for 189. The hosts also weren't helped by the fact that their skipper Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury and had to leave the field three balls into his innings, and played no further role in the Test.
India’s spinners, led by Ravindra Jadeja (4/50), reduced South Africa to 93/7 at the end of Day 2, but a fighting fifty from Temba Bavuma (55*) helped the tourists set a target of 124. Simon Harmer (4/21) was the pick of South Africa bowlers, while Marco Jansen (2/15) and Keshav Maharaj (2/37) chipped in with crucial wickets in this close win.
This was Proteas' 10th win in their last 11 Tests as the reigning World Test Champions keep their good form going.
The series now moves to Guwahati, where the second Test begins on 22 November. This will be the deciding fixture, and South Africa will look to secure their first series win in the country since 2000 and further improve their standing in the World Test Championship 2025-27.
(With inputs from Press Release)
