On Sunday, 16 November, South Africa achieved a stunning and unexpected 30-run win at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, turning a poor start into a famous victory against India. India’s strategy of producing rank turners failed miserably and they failed to chase 124, with the game ending in the second session on the third day.
The Proteas have made an incredible comeback after being bowled out for just 159 runs on the first day after electing to bat first against India in the opening match of the two-match Test series at the Eden Gardens. His fightback completely changed the outcome of the match.
South Africa’s spectacular win at Eden Gardens leads to India’s defeat at home
On the third day, the South African team had only 124 runs to defend, but their bowlers came out with full confidence. The pitch had become difficult, the bounce was uneven and every ball looked dangerous. This happened when South Africa took control against India.
Also read: ‘Bad’ Washington Sundar crying like a child in the dressing room after India’s defeat in Kolkata Test
Simon Harmer led the attack with four wickets and the rest of the bowlers kept India under constant pressure at the Eden Gardens. The hosts, who were favorites in the first match, failed due to the spinning ball, unpredictable bounce and tight bowling, making it almost impossible to score.
Wickets kept falling one after the other and India were never able to chase the target. By the second session, the Indian cricket team was all out for just 93 runs. With this famous 30-run win, South Africa took a 2-0 lead in the ongoing two-match Test series in India.
Rank turner had a bad impact on India
India suffered a shocking batting collapse as they were bowled out for just 93 runs in just 35 overs. South Africa performed well from the beginning. Marco Johnson made a brilliant opening appearance, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck and soon after, KL Rahul was out after scoring just one run, leaving the host team stunned.
After lunch, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar tried to bring some stability and also tried to counterattack, but the hope did not last long. Jurrell, who had begun to find some rhythm, fell for 13 as Simon Harmer began his own demolition job.
Rishabh Pant came in next but never looked settled. Pant was out after scoring just two runs off 13 balls while Harmer continued to destroy India’s lineup. Ravindra Jadeja tried to build a partnership with Sundar but could only score 18 runs.
Also read: Jasprit Bumrah apologizing to Temba Bavuma over ‘dwarf’ comment? Pacer’s conversation with South Africa captain goes viral
Fans have demanded the dismissal of Gautam Gambhir
Sundar showed great patience and fought hard to score 31 off 92 balls, but Aiden Markram ended his stay and broke India’s last real chance of resistance during their chase.
Harmer took his fourth wicket by dismissing Kuldeep Yadav cheaply, while Keshav Maharaj joined the attack and took the remaining wickets by dismissing Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj, leaving the Eden Gardens crowd silent on Sunday.
Fans are targeting Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir after India’s yet another embarrassing defeat. He has demanded Gambhir’s dismissal as the pitch was prepared on his instructions.
Here is how fans reacted to India’s defeat against South Africa in the Kolkata Test:
Narendra Modi has Godi Media
Gautam Gambhir has Godi Captain
One is ruining the country and the other is ruining the cricket of the country. pic.twitter.com/YOPx7Z2ymB
– Gss (@Gss_Views) 16 November 2025
There is a possibility that Gautam Gambhir’s tenure may end like the Greg Chappell era.
– Kalpesh (@KalpeshTweets) 16 November 2025
Maturity is when you realize that Rohit Sharma’s captaincy was not the problem in the whitewash against New Zealand on home soil. Gautam Gambhir was the main culprit. Before Gambhir, Rohit Sharma never lost a Test series as captain.
History will be kind to you Rohit Sharma pic.twitter.com/VmWiv6gCNR
– Kusha Sharma (@kushacritic) 16 November 2025
@bcci
When is Gautam Gambhir’s tenure ending? Please enlighten!!!-Neeraj Chauhan (@neerajc25081974) 16 November 2025
Dismiss the clown named Gautam Gambhir….#INDvsSA
– Rajesh Gupta (@rkg04) 16 November 2025
Dismiss Gautam Gambhir. Bring back VVS Laxman. This is the real solution.
Subject to serious:
Lost more tests than winning
End of 10 years of BGT dominance
0-3 humiliation against NZ-C at home
Now test loss to South AfricaHow much more pain do we have to endure before we fix this? pic.twitter.com/ZKGR49Zdoz
– NiiK (@Niiki099) 16 November 2025
Gautam Gambhir took aim at the team which won 2 consecutive WTC finals and turned it into a joke.
He thinks he is bigger than the game and can do anything!!
FIRE THE UNKNOWN JOKER TODAY!!!#sacgambhir
– Existential Humanist (@shawsh_tweets) 16 November 2025
#INDvsSA
God has sent people like Gautam Gambhir to set an example to all the people as to how a person should not be.– Annu (@AnnuInfo) 16 November 2025
Today, he showed why he is the World Test Champion. This South African team keeps doing incredible things! #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/4qL0etV3FE
– Karthik Arya (@Karthik18728343) 16 November 2025
South Africa has won a test match in India after 15 years.
The BCCI created a “pit” on the pitch for the opposition team, but India itself fell into it.
They came to hunt, but went away as prey!#INDVSA #temba pic.twitter.com/ldXbdw6jYV– Anil Belwal (@imAbelwal) 16 November 2025
Temba Bavuma silenced the Indian crowd in Kolkata by winning the first test match by 30 runs #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/NOq8oZfQ8X
– Ahsan Shah (@ahsan_shah90) 16 November 2025
*_Don’t speak now_*
*_They call it sowing_*
*_The whole of India started crying_*#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/lKj3XxgwEl
– Rao Shehzad (@aoshehzad1818) 16 November 2025
IND vs SA
Africa won a thrilling low-scoring match.
– The visiting team defeated India by 30 runs. The reigning WTC champions have made a positive start to their campaign.
– Victory in Pakistan and now victory in India.
– Captain Bavuma is well and truly arrived.#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/QjAeRbur5y
– Criclytics (@Criclytics_1) 16 November 2025
What a shame! #INDvsSA
– AnkanKar (@AnkanKar) 16 November 2025
