In a breathtaking display of fast bowling and spin sorcery, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav combined forces to dismantle the South African batting lineup on the opening day of the first Test at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens. The post-lunch session on Friday, November 14, 2025, transformed into a spectacle of cricketing magic, leaving over 35,000 spectators in a state of awe.
The Post-Lunch Onslaught
The most devastating phase of the day unfolded immediately after the lunch break. With the crowd still settling back into their seats, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav unleashed a full repertoire of their skills, turning the match into a one-sided affair. Bumrah, moving with the confidence of a seasoned master, manipulated the old ball with sinister precision. He showcased his complete arsenal: searing yorkers, deceptive off-cutters, and reverse-swing that left the Proteas batsmen groping in the dark.
At the other end, Kuldeep Yadav weaved his own web of deception. His pliant wrists imparted dramatic turns and variations in flight. The ball drifted, dipped, and spun sharply, creating a maze of challenges for the right-handers. The partnership made the South African batters feel as if they were confronting supernatural forces rather than two cricketers from Ahmedabad and Kanpur.
Wickets Tumble in a Session of Mayhem
The collapse began with Kuldeep striking first. Wiaan Mulder, baffled by the spinner's variations, perished to an ill-advised reverse sweep, trapped plumb in front of the stumps. This dismissal echoed Kuldeep's earlier success, where a beautifully drifting delivery had seduced Temba Bavuma into an edge, neatly caught by Dhruv Jurel at leg-slip.
Bumrah then joined the party, targeting Tony de Zorzi who had already survived several close calls against Kuldeep. The pace spearhead set him up perfectly with a series of away-swinging deliveries before firing in a sharp, back-of-a-length angler that de Zorzi missed, crashing into his pads. The session was so dominant that even the near-misses felt like events. Bumrah nearly replicated his famous Oval delivery to Ollie Pope, with Kyle Verreynne just managing an inside edge down the leg side.
Bumrah's Spellbinding Opening Burst
While the post-lunch session captured headlines, Bumrah's first spell had earlier halted South Africa's aggressive start. After the visitors raced to 57 runs in just 10 overs, Bumrah produced two unplayable deliveries to shift the momentum. He clean bowled the left-handed Ryan Rickleton with a perfect delivery that straightened off the pitch and clipped the bails. Shortly after, he dismissed Aiden Markram with a brutish short ball that highlighted the unique challenges of facing his unorthodox action.
Bumrah's hyper-extending elbow and shifting release points make his bouncers particularly lethal. Batsmen committed to defending at a certain height find themselves helpless when the ball jumps even slightly higher, resulting in fatal edges or desperate evasions.
A Day to Remember at Eden Gardens
By the end of the day, Jasprit Bumrah had secured his five-wicket haul, efficiently mopping up the lower order in his third spell. Alongside him, Kuldeep Yadav maintained relentless pressure, finishing with impressive figures of his own. For the thousands present at the stadium and millions watching worldwide, it was a day defined by vivid impressions: Bumrah's wicked smile after another wicket, Kuldeep blowing his cheeks in anticipation, and the collective gasp of the crowd with every magical delivery.
The collaboration between India's pace ace and spin wizard not only put the home team in a commanding position but also created an unforgettable chapter in the storied history of Eden Gardens, a venue once again witness to cricketing artistry of the highest order.
