Key points
- South Africa recorded their first Test win in India since the 1996-97 series.
- The win was secured thanks to resilient batting and disciplined bowling.
- South Africa takes an early 1-0 lead in the series.
- The second Test is scheduled to begin shortly, keeping series excitement high.
- This is South Africa’s first Test win against India on Indian soil in nearly three decades.
KOLKATA: South Africa registered a 30-run victory over India in the first Test of the series at Eden Gardens, giving themselves a strong start. India lost to South African on home ground after almost three decades.
Batting first, the visitors posted 287 in their first innings, led by a solid 85-run knock from the top order and contributions from the middle and lower order, which laid the foundation for a defendable total on a pitch that offered assistance to bowlers.
The South African bowlers executed their plans well, taking 10 wickets in India’s innings to restrict them to 257. Regular breakthroughs and disciplined spell management kept India under pressure. Standout bowling performances came from the pace attack, exploiting seam and bounce effectively, while spinners held their lines to choke runs in the middle overs.
India mounted a determined chase, scoring 230 in the second innings, but were ultimately unable to overhaul the target South Africa had given them. Key contributions from the Indian middle order were not enough as they fell short by 30 runs. The loss hands South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, giving them momentum heading into the second Test.
This victory marks South Africa’s first Test win in India in nearly three decades, since their last series triumph in 1996-97.
The next match is scheduled to begin shortly, and both teams are expected to adjust their strategies to gain the upper hand. Fans can anticipate a highly competitive series as South Africa aims to consolidate their lead and India seeks to level the score.
