India’s fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj delivered a memorable spell on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, producing two crucial breakthroughs that shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour. After an inconsistent opening session—where his line and length wavered—Siraj returned with renewed intent post-lunch and dismantled the Proteas lower order with precision and pace. The Test began with South African captain Temba Bavuma choosing to bat first on a seemingly true Kolkata surface.
Openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton justified the decision by stitching together a fluent 57-run partnership in under 10 overs. However, Jasprit Bumrah, who was exceptional throughout the morning session, rattled the visitors by dismissing Rickelton with a trademark in-dipper that clipped the off stump. Bumrah then removed Markram on 31, tightening India’s grip. Kuldeep Yadav added to the pressure, removing Bavuma before lunch, leaving South Africa wobbling at 105/3.
The session belonged entirely to the Indian bowlers as they relentlessly attacked the stumps and forced errors from the Proteas batters. The hosts capitalised further after lunch, reducing South Africa to 120/5. Bumrah trapped Tony de Zorzi lbw with a delivery that kept low, while Kuldeep cleaned up Wiaan Mulder, who has been struggling for form despite his recent triple-century against Zimbabwe.
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Mohammed Siraj then stole the spotlight in the 45th over. First, he trapped Kyle Verreynne lbw for 16 with a superb delivery that jagged back sharply. The Proteas keeper reviewed the decision, but ball-tracking confirmed that it was crashing into middle stump. Just moments later, Siraj produced the ball of the session to castle Marco Jansen for a duck. The delivery zipped through the narrow gap between bat and pad, shattering Jansen’s stumps and South Africa’s hopes of stability.
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) November 14, 2025
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) November 14, 2025
Interestingly, Jansen had survived a close call just a delivery earlier when he inadvertently kicked away a ball that rolled past the stumps. But Siraj ensured there was no second escape.
By Tea, South Africa were reeling at 154/8, with Tristan Stubbs fighting a lone battle. The Proteas, who last won a Test in India in 2010, entered the series after a drawn battle in Pakistan, while India, coming off a dominant 2-0 win over the West Indies, remain favourites under Shubman Gill’s leadership.
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With India having whitewashed South Africa in their last two home series and the Proteas failing to win a Test series on Indian soil since 1999/2000, the hosts are well on track to maintain their supremacy in this two-match contest.
