South Africa registered a stunning 30-run victory over India in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Defending only 124 runs, the visitors bowled out the hosts for a mere 93, India's lowest Test total at home in seven years. The match witnessed four innings below 200 runs, a first in India and only the 12th such instance in Test cricket history since 1959. Captain Temba Bavuma scored the only half-century of the match with 55 runs in the second innings, while spinner Simon Harmer claimed eight wickets across both innings. This marked South Africa's first Test victory in India in 15 years. The result came despite India's strong position earlier, with captain Shubman Gill's injury absence affecting their chase. The second Test begins on November 22 in Guwahati.
Match-Defining Moments and Outstanding Performances
Marco Jansen delivered the critical early blows, dismissing both openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul within the first two overs of India's chase. Simon Harmer earned Player of the Match honours with figures of 4/30 and 4/21 in the two innings, dismantling India's batting lineup including Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Captain Temba Bavuma's 55 proved decisive in a low-scoring contest where no other batsman reached 40. His partnerships with Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen provided South Africa a defendable total. Bavuma also took a crucial catch running backwards to dismiss Axar Patel, sealing the historic victory and achieving his 100th first-class catch.
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