Team India’s fast bowler Mohammad Siraj surprised South African all-rounder Marco Johnson with a brilliant ball on the first day (Friday, 14 November) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Siraj, who struggled with his line and length in the first session, took two wickets for the Men in Blue in the post-lunch session.
South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton made a partnership of 57 runs for the first wicket within the first 10 overs. India finally got the breakthrough in the 11th over when fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah bowled Rickelton for 23 runs.
Indian bowlers destroyed South Africa’s middle order on the first day
After this, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Aiden Markram, who scored 31 runs in 48 balls. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav took his first wicket of the match by dismissing Proteas captain Temba Bavuma. Till lunch, the visiting team was in a difficult position after scoring 105 runs at the loss of 3 wickets.
India strengthened its hold at the beginning of the second session itself. The home side restricted South Africa to 120 for 5, with Bumrah having Tony De Zorzi out LBW for 24, before Kuldeep dismissed Wiaan Mulder.
Mulder, who recently scored a triple century against Zimbabwe, has struggled in recent Test matches, with his third consecutive low score since the Pakistan series. The visitors lost half their team with only 120 runs on the board.
Watch: Mohammed Siraj beats Marco Johnson with a peach
Mohammad Siraj bowled a brilliant spell during the second session. The fast bowler took two wickets in the 45th over of the Proteas’ first innings.
Mohammed Siraj first got wicketkeeper Kyle Verreen out LBW for 16 runs, which was quickly hit on the pad. The on-field umpire gave it out and Vereen opted for a review. Ball-tracking revealed that it might have crashed into the middle stump.
After a few balls, Mohammed Siraj bowled Marco Johnson on zero. He bowled a ball which passed through the gap between the bat and the pad and hit the stumps. The double strike turned the momentum strongly in India’s favor as South Africa struggled to rebuild.
Jansen escaped just before his dismissal. The lower order batsman stayed back to defend and the ball went past the pole before he could kick.
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 14 November 2025
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 14 November 2025
South Africa lost eight wickets for 154 runs before tea
By the end of the second session on the first day, South Africa had scored 154 runs for 8 wickets, with Tristan Stubbs at the crease. The reigning World Test champions last won a Test on Indian soil in 2010 and the series in Pakistan has been drawn 1-1.
Meanwhile, India won 2-0 over West Indies. Led by Shubman Gill, the hosts are favorites to extend their dominance over the Proteas. The Men in Blue recorded consecutive 3-0 home series wins over South Africa in 2015/16 and 2019/20.
South Africa A managed to surprise India A by chasing 417 runs in a recent practice match. The Proteas have not won a Test series in India since their historic win in 1999/2000, a record that India will look to maintain in this two-match contest.
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