In one of the most dramatic Test matches in recent years, South Africa speechless India With a 30-run win in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, ending a 15-year wait for a Test win on Indian soil. The competition progressed quickly over three days, but it was the Proteas who maintained their composure when it mattered most, delivering a spectacular performance that silenced the home crowd and thrilled South African fans around the world.
Temba Bavuma’s fierce resistance turned the match upside down.
South Africa’s victory seemed impossible for large parts of the match. After electing to bat first, the visitors were bundled out for just 159 runs on the first day, which helped India gain early control. However, the Proteas bowlers led simon harmermade a sensational comeback to restrict India to 189 runs and take a paltry lead of only 30 runs despite favorable batting conditions.
South Africa had a disappointing start to the second innings and their score read 93/7 at stumps on the second day. With India favourites, the match seemed to be heading towards a routine home win. but captain Temba Bavuma There were other ideas. On a pitch with sharp turn and uneven bounce, the South African captain excelled in patience, footwork and composure. His fighting half-century – remarkably the only half-century scored by any batsman in the match – proved to be the innings that completely changed the story.
Bavuma brilliantly added 60 crucial runs to push South Africa to 153 on the third morning. The target of 124, although modest, was always going to be difficult on a deteriorating surface.
Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer crush India with ruthless accuracy
Chasing 124, India needed a calm, disciplined approach. Instead, South Africa’s spinners took advantage of the opportunity. Keshav Maharaj And Simon Harmer bowled with relentless accuracy, taking advantage of every ounce of support from the pitch. India lost wickets in clusters and with the runs short, the pressure increased rapidly.
despite this Akshar PatelIn a brief counter-attack – which included a flurry of boundaries and two sky-high sixes from Maharaj – India remained on the brink. His aggressive intent, scoring 16 runs in a single over, raised faint expectations, but Bavuma’s faith in Maharaj paid off almost immediately.
Akshar hit a slog and Bavuma completed a sharp catch at midwicket. Next delivery stop, Mohammad Siraj Slipped, bringing a dramatic end to the bout. India were bowled out for only 93 runs due to the talent of South Africa’s spin pair and increasing scoreboard pressure.
Also read: IND vs SA: Ravindra Jadeja equals Kapil Dev’s record on the second day of the first test
Here’s how fans reacted:
Crazy good to win! Well done Proteas👏👏👏I am speechless
– AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) 16 November 2025
Huge result for SA.
Great game and well played for the Proteas.
– Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) 16 November 2025
South Africa deserves it. And the wounds of the New Zealand series returned again. Batting in these conditions is now a problem.
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 16 November 2025
A famous victory for world test champions South Africa at the Eden Gardens. Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten half-century was equal to five hundred.
– Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) 16 November 2025
– Out of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) 16 November 2025
One of South Africa’s best wins in India
– Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) 16 November 2025
South Africa lead 1-0 in the series.#Cricket #INDvsSA #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/ML1feIoBgb
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 16 November 2025
matching summary #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/kpXvs4pi82
– Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) 16 November 2025
Once a wise man said,
“Coach Gautam Gambhir will destroy the legacy of the Indian cricket team.”#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/u1hIp1R2po
– ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) 16 November 2025
New Zealand again. #IndvSA
– Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) 16 November 2025
What have I just seen!!!! What a comeback and performance from our bowlers!!!! He never gave up!!!! This is beautiful😭🇿🇦💚#crickettwitter #INDvSA
– Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) 16 November 2025
Bavuma gets the last laugh
What a game and what an innings of the captain.
give the man his due#INDvSApic.twitter.com/Yfj8VXH2eG
– Ash (@Ashsay_) 16 November 2025
This schedule was decided a long time ago, but there should be a minimum 3 test match series between India vs South Africa. This South African team is classy and the world deserves to see more of them. #IndvSA
– Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) 16 November 2025
South Africa won by 30 runs#INDvSA
– Waqas (@Iam_Waqas) 16 November 2025
Great result for cricket. India needs to end this absurd pitch doctoring obsession and get itself back to playing good test match cricket. One of the greatest upsets of all time. #IndvSA
– Adam Voigt (@adam_voigt) 16 November 2025
The bowlers fought brilliantly.
Crucial run by Bavuma!!!!#INDvSA https://t.co/NlXmeWaSS4
– Sagede (@DSNhlapo) 16 November 2025
He is turning out to be a really disrespectful coach. @GautamGambhir #INDvSA
– Swaraj Wankhede 🇮🇳 (@CrickySwaraj) 16 November 2025
This loss continues #Serious And #agarkarGambhir keeps avoiding criticism only because the team is finding ways to win in all formats, but he forgets that cricket is a great leveler, be humble and respect the opposition too,, Losing the fourth test at home this year is absolutely clownish, #indvsa
– Sarvagya Pawar 🇮🇳 (@srvdnya_cricket) 16 November 2025
Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 55 runs and was the man of the match. He has been a brilliant captain, what an amazing win!#INDvSA
– Nolan Lucano D’Souza (@nolandsouza) 16 November 2025
🚨 South Africa stuns India at Eden!
◾ South Africa won the Test by 30 runs – a famous comeback!
◾ Got out for 159 runs on the first day, yet the match was overturned 💥
India collapsed for 93 runs in the second innings. #INDvSA #testcricket pic.twitter.com/YF5203N2hG-Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) 16 November 2025
This defeat is not of Gautam Gambhir but of our batsmen Jaiswal, Rahul and Pant.
And this also shows how important a batsman Shubman Gill is for this new Test team.
Embarrassing and shameful. Bavuma and South Africa played well.#INDvSA
– Reverse Sweep (@trspodcastt) 16 November 2025
This is only the second time India have been bowled out for less than 100 in the fourth innings of a home Test – the first time in 48 years#INDvsSA #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/p7SMmRqLV1
– Mohammad Ali Shihab (@muhmdali_shihab) 16 November 2025
Temba Bavuma as South African captain
11-Matchbox
10 – won
01- draw#INDvSA #INDvsSA #testcricket– Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh) 16 November 2025
Gambhir should be fired from Test coaching without fear. #INDvSA
– Shivansh Vashishtha (@Shivansh466) 16 November 2025
South Africa played well. Credit where due. #INDvSA
– Manny (@Chahal321) 16 November 2025
South Africa defeated India in India after 15 years. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/33dkXUjvV7
The legacy of the legendary player who lost home Tests continues. Have some Shame. #IndvSA
– Ravi Kalle (@rt_Kalle) 16 November 2025
Great victory for South Africa #INDvSA
– H. (@HaseebAFC) 16 November 2025
Same kind of pitch, same result. @rishabhpant17 The captaincy was extremely poor, especially the field placement of new batsmen and the rotation of bowlers. @Sundarvashi5 Did not bowl in the second innings. It will definitely be 2-0. #INDvsSA #INDvSA
– Pratik 🇮🇳 (@imsinghpratik) 16 November 2025
after 15 years @ProteasMenCSA made history
won the eden garden test #IndianCricket #INDvSA #crickettwitter https://t.co/HNVTrZENFJ pic.twitter.com/Ltmmwl4MRF
– Dilbag Koundal 🇮🇳 (@dilbag_koundal) 16 November 2025
This is the worst Test match pitch I have seen in India since Indore 2023. I knew it would be another Day 3 affair when Bumrah’s second ball remained low. #INDvSA
– Delhi Capitals Fan 🇮🇳🇮🇱 (@pantiyerfc) 16 November 2025
He was humbled by being called a “dwarf”#INDvSA
– Payal (@foodieforlifexo) 16 November 2025
Any part timer who bowls off spin or left arm spin in any lane can beat this Indian team, such losers cannot play normal off spin 😭#INDVSA
-Neeraj Lokhande (@Niraj_Rocks) 16 November 2025
same old story. It seems India have learned nothing from the New Zealand series where they lost 3-0 at home. Now SA beat us at home after 15 years. The home advantage of turning track is no longer an advantage if you don’t have the bat for it.@bcci @bhogaleharsh #INDvsSA #sacgambhir #indvsa
– Siddharth Sharma (@bysiddartha) 16 November 2025
Statement Win for Champions 🔥#INDvSA
– #75 (@toptier1140) 16 November 2025
