Ravindra Jadeja produced a masterclass in left-arm spin with figures of 4-29, dragging South Africa into deep trouble at 93/7 by stumps on Day Two of the first Test at Eden Gardens on Saturday. With their lead standing at only 63, the match remains delicately balanced after 16 wickets tumbled on a spiteful surface.
South Africa, who bowled India out for 189 earlier in the day, failed to capitalise on their slender 30-run lead as India’s spinners dismantled their second innings with relentless pressure and sharp turn.
Axar: “If we keep them under 125, it should be easy and chaseable”
Axar Patel said the pitch was behaving unpredictably and would continue to challenge batters.
From one end, it feels like it’s going straight, but from the other end, there’s too much turn and bounce. You have to play attacking cricket as a batter. If we can keep them under 125, it should be easy and chaseable.
He emphasised that no batter could trust the variable bounce: “You are never really set on this wicket. Whenever you get a loose ball, you must convert it into runs.”
Harmer’s Four-For Keeps South Africa in the Contest
Earlier, Simon Harmer led South Africa’s attack with 4-30, exploiting the two-paced pitch and uneven bounce. Only KL Rahul (39) and Washington Sundar (29) offered resistance during their 57-run stand, India’s highest of the innings.
From 153/4, India lost their final five wickets for just 36 runs. Rishabh Pant provided a quick burst of aggression with two towering sixes, becoming India’s all-time leading six-hitter in Tests before falling to a top edge moments before lunch.
Gill’s Neck Spasm Adds Twist
Shubman Gill briefly lifted the mood with a boundary but retired hurt due to a sudden neck spasm. His absence meant India’s innings closed one short of 190, with Jadeja, Kuldeep, Siraj and Axar all falling quickly after the lead was secured.
Kuldeep, Jadeja Trigger South African Slide
South Africa’s second innings unravelled rapidly. Jasprit Bumrah softened up Ryan Rickelton with pace and hostility, and Kuldeep removed him lbw on the stroke of tea.
After the break, Jadeja took charge. Aiden Markram top-edged a sweep to short leg, Wiaan Mulder nicked off to Pant, and Tony de Zorzi was undone by one that spun sharply and ricocheted off glove and pad to short leg.
Jadeja then beat Tristan Stubbs with a delivery that straightened to hit the top of off stump, completing a superb spell that left South Africa reeling.
Axar added to the chaos by bowling Kyle Verreynne, before Kuldeep picked up Marco Jansen via an outside edge held by KL Rahul at slip after a brief juggle.
A Fragile Lead, a Final Twist Awaiting
Temba Bavuma battled to 29 not out, but with the pitch growing increasingly mischievous and India’s spinners in rhythm, South Africa know they must stretch the lead well past three figures to stay alive. With India eyeing a chase and conditions deteriorating, Day Three could well be the last of this roller-coaster Test.
Brief Scores: South Africa: 159 & 93/7 in 35 overs (Temba Bavuma 29*, Marco Jansen 13; Ravindra Jadeja 4-29, Kuldeep Yadav 2-12) India: 189 all out in 62.2 overs (KL Rahul 39, Washington Sundar 29; Simon Harmer 4-30, Marco Jansen 3-35). South Africa lead by 63 runs.
