Jasprit Bumrah produced a magnificent bowling performance to put India in complete control on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens. The pace spearhead's five-wicket haul dismantled the visitors, who were bundled out for just 159 before India reached 37/1 at stumps.
Bumrah's Masterclass Turns the Tide
The day began with South Africa winning the toss and opting to bat first on a surface that offered variable bounce and pace. However, their plans suffered a massive blow even before the first ball was bowled, with premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to a rib injury. This significantly weakened their bowling attack and placed additional responsibility on Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, and Corbin Bosch.
South African openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton provided a steady start, adding 57 runs for the first wicket. Markram took 23 balls to get off the mark but eventually found his rhythm with a straight drive off Mohammed Siraj. Rickelton supported him with compact stroke play, but the partnership collapsed immediately after Bumrah returned for a fresh spell.
South African Collapse Triggered by Pace
Bumrah's two-over burst after tea completely changed the complexion of the match. He first clean bowled Rickelton for 23, triggering massive cheers from the 35,000-strong crowd at Eden Gardens. Soon after, a rising delivery drew Markram's glove, resulting in a spectacular diving catch by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Markram departed for 31, and South Africa's innings went into a tailspin from that point.
Wickets fell at regular intervals as Kuldeep Yadav applied pressure from the other end. The spinner removed South African captain Temba Bavuma for just 3 runs and later trapped Wiaan Mulder lbw for 24. Tony de Zorzi matched Mulder's score of 24 before losing his review against Bumrah, with ball-tracking confirming the delivery would have hit the stumps.
Mohammed Siraj wrapped up the lower order efficiently, dismissing Kyle Verreynne for 16 and Jansen for a duck. Bumrah finished with impressive figures of 5/27, claiming his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
India's Cautious Response
In reply, India's innings began carefully with Yashasvi Jaiswal taking 15 balls to get going. The young opener drove Jansen through long-off for his first boundary and added two more fours before chopping on for 12, giving South Africa their first breakthrough.
KL Rahul settled in slowly, managing just one run from his first 14 deliveries before opening up with a controlled drive off Mulder. Washington Sundar, batting at number three, survived a probing new-ball spell from the seamers and early turn from spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.
With light fading rapidly, the umpires stopped play at 4:35 pm, leaving India at 37/1 after 20 overs. The hosts now trail by 122 runs with Rahul and Sundar at the crease, setting up an intriguing second day where India will look to build a substantial first-innings lead.
