Kolkata, November 14: Jasprit Bumrah produced a match-defining five-wicket haul as India bundled out South Africa for a paltry 159 on the opening day of the first Test at Eden Gardens on Friday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, South Africa made a promising start as openers Ryan Rickelton (23) and Aiden Markram (31) put together a 57-run partnership for the first wicket. This was South Africa’s first fifty-plus opening stand in India after 17 innings.
However, Bumrah turned the game on its head with a brilliant double strike. He first shattered Rickelton’s off-stump with a precise length delivery that beat the outside edge, then immediately followed up by dismissing Markram with a sharp rising delivery that induced an edge, brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav then removed captain Temba Bavuma for just 3 runs, with Dhruv Jurel taking the catch at backward short-leg. South Africa suddenly collapsed from 57/0 to 71/3.
At lunch, Wiaan Mulder (22*) and Tony de Zorzi (15*) steadied the innings briefly, taking the score to 105/3.
After the break, India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Mohammed Siraj exploited reverse swing brilliantly to dismiss Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the same over.
Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul after tea, dismissing Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj to finish with figures of 5/27. This was his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets each, while Axar Patel chipped in with one.
India now hold a commanding position heading into their first innings.
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