South Africa Stun India with 30-Run Win in Dramatic Kolkata Test

• India collapse to 93 while chasing 124, struggling against South Africa’s disciplined bowling.
• Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 55 anchors South Africa’s fightback for a stunning 30-run win.
• The loss drops India to fourth in the WTC standings, highlighting inconsistency in their campaign.

South Africa pulled off a stunning 30-run victory over India in the first Test at Eden Gardens, defending a modest target of 124 and leaving the hosts stunned. India’s chase fell apart quickly, with the team bowled out for just 93 as South Africa’s bowlers exploited the turning surface and India’s poor shot selection.

India sorely missed Captain Shubman Gill, who spent the night in the ICU due to a neck spasm and could not bat. His absence was felt deeply as the batting unit struggled to handle pressure. Rishabh Pant tried to bring some stability, but his aggressive approach backfired when he gifted a return catch while facing Simon Harmer.

The day belonged to Temba Bavuma, who played a gritty unbeaten 55, the only fifty in the match. His innings gave South Africa a fighting total of 153 in the second innings, despite trailing by 30 after the first. Bavuma held firm with the tail, showing remarkable patience on a pitch offering inconsistent turn, and set a blueprint for how to bat under tough conditions.

India’s bowlers had kept the team in the match earlier, with Jasprit Bumrah breaking a crucial stand and Mohammed Siraj cleaning up the tail. But when it came to batting, the hosts faltered. Marco Jansen struck early, and South Africa’s spinners led by Harmer, finished the job, capitalizing on India’s rush of risky shots.

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Coach Gautam Gambhir admitted the team lacked application, acknowledging that reckless strokes and failure to read the surface cost India heavily. The defeat pushed India down to fourth in the WTC standings, highlighting the challenges ahead in adapting to unpredictable Test wickets.

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