How did Bumrah's five-wicket haul put India in command against South Africa on Day One?
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Synopsis
India takes a strong position on the first day of the Test against South Africa, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah's incredible five-wicket haul. With the visitors bowled out for 159, India ends the day at 37/1, trailing by 122 runs. Can they capitalize on this advantage moving forward?
Key Takeaways
- Bumrah's exceptional five-wicket haul put India in a commanding position.
- South Africa's batting collapse led to them losing all ten wickets for just 102 runs.
- India's cautious batting approach ensured they ended Day One without further damage.
- Variable pitch conditions made scoring difficult for the batsmen.
- Strong crowd support for India showcased the passion for cricket in Kolkata.
Kolkata, Nov 14 (NationPress) At the conclusion of Day One of the inaugural Test match against South Africa, India stands at 37/1 after 20 overs, trailing by 122 runs. This follows a brilliant five-wicket performance from Jasprit Bumrah, which saw the visitors bowled out for just 159 runs at Eden Gardens on Friday.
Before bad light curtailed play in the final session, India lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early on. However, KL Rahul (13 not out) and the newly promoted Washington Sundar (six not out) managed to navigate through without further losses until stumps.
The duo played cautiously, adding 19 runs in an unbroken partnership for the second wicket on a pitch that displayed inconsistent bounce.
Earlier, on a demanding two-paced surface where India opted for all four spin options, Bumrah was exceptional with figures of 5-27 in 14 overs, dismantling the South African batting lineup after they had reached 57/0.
South Africa lost all ten wickets for a mere 102 runs, leaving India firmly in charge at the end of the first day. Besides Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav each claimed two wickets, while Axar Patel also contributed with a wicket.
South Africa, having chosen to bat first, saw Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram handle the early overs with poise, clinching the first fifty-run opening partnership for the Proteas in India after 17 innings. Rickelton was aggressive from the start, exploiting a wayward Siraj for three boundaries.
Markram, who took 22 balls to score his first run, soon settled into his innings, striking beautiful boundaries before launching a six over long-on off Axar.
Bumrah made a significant impact with a double strike, first beating Rickelton's outside edge to hit the off stump, then forcing Markram into an edge that was caught by Rishabh Pant.
The Proteas’ momentum was further disrupted when Kuldeep trapped Temba Bavuma with a clever leg-slip strategy, and Dhruv Jurel caught the inside edge, sending the South African skipper back for just three runs, as they slipped from 57/0 to 71/3. Mulder and de Zorzi showed resilience against the spinners until lunch.
After the lunch break, Kuldeep and Bumrah put India back in control, maintaining strict accuracy. Their efforts were rewarded when Wiaan Mulder was trapped lbw while attempting a reverse sweep against Kuldeep.
Bumrah's inswinger caught Tony de Zorzi lbw for 24. Despite attempts from Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne to stabilize the innings, Siraj found his groove, taking two wickets in the 45th over.
Verreynne was caught lbw by a delivery from Siraj, and Marco Jansen fell to a delivery that snuck through his defenses for a duck. Just before tea, Axar added to the wickets by trapping Corbin Bosch lbw, leaving India in a strong position and South Africa in trouble.
The post-tea session began with around 35,000 fans cheering for Bumrah during his fiery two-over spell. Their excitement peaked when he bowled Simon Harmer and then trapped Keshav Maharaj lbw with a stunning yorker, completing his five-wicket haul as Stubbs remained unbeaten on 15.
India’s innings started cautiously, with Jaiswal taking 15 balls to score his first run with a drive off Marco Jansen. After a couple of boundaries, Jaiswal's innings ended with a score of 12 when he chopped onto his stumps off Jansen. Meanwhile, Rahul remained observant, scoring just one run off his first 14 deliveries before finding his rhythm against Wiaan Mulder.
Sundar, batting at No. 3, weathered a challenging spell and grew more confident as the innings progressed. While Jansen, Mulder, and Corbin Bosch kept the pressure on with the new ball, spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer also found some turn, but Rahul and Washington exhibited solid discipline.
Bad light ultimately led to the day’s end at 4:35 pm, with Bumrah's remarkable performance stealing the spotlight, much to the delight of Kolkata's cricket fans.
Brief scores:
South Africa 159 all out in 55 overs (Aiden Markram 31, Ryan Rickelton 23; Jasprit Bumrah 5-27, Kuldeep Yadav 2-36) lead India 37/1 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 13 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 12; Marco Jansen 1-11) by 122 runs
Point of View
It’s imperative to note how India showcased skill and strategy on Day One against South Africa. Jasprit Bumrah's extraordinary performance was the highlight, putting India in a favorable position. The team's response with the bat will be critical in the upcoming days, and all eyes will be on them as they strive for victory.
NationPress
14/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the standout performer on Day One?
Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer, taking five wickets for just 27 runs.
What was South Africa's total score?
South Africa was bowled out for 159 runs.
How many runs does India need to chase?
India is trailing by 122 runs, currently at 37/1.
Where is the match being played?
The match is being held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
What was the condition of the pitch?
The pitch showed variable bounce, making batting challenging.
