Can Jadeja's Four Wickets Turn the Tide Against South Africa?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling contest at Eden Gardens, Ravindra Jadeja's four-wicket haul has left South Africa reeling at 93/7. With a lead of only 63 runs, can India capitalize on this advantage and secure victory? The match remains delicately balanced as both teams fight for supremacy on a challenging pitch. Stay tuned for more updates!
Key Takeaways
- Ravindra Jadeja claimed 4 wickets for 29 runs.
- South Africa ended the day at 93/7.
- India's bowling attack has gained a significant advantage.
- Chasing 125 runs will be a tough challenge for South Africa.
- Day three could be decisive in this closely contested match.
Kolkata, Nov 15 (NationPress) Ravindra Jadeja ensnared South Africa's batting order, claiming four wickets as the visitors were left struggling at 93/7 in 35 overs at the end of day two of the first Test at Eden Gardens on Saturday. Despite holding a lead of 63 runs, Jadeja's impressive figures of 4-29 have kept the match finely poised.
After bowling out India for 189 earlier in the day, giving the hosts a narrow 30-run lead, South Africa looked to have equalized the contest, especially with Shubman Gill absent due to a neck spasm after scoring four.
However, their batting crumbled under the pressure of Jadeja's quality spin and poor shot selection, handing India a distinct advantage as the day concluded. The pitch showcased its challenges, with inconsistent bounce and sharp turns making batting increasingly tough. Chasing 125 runs seemed daunting, requiring South Africa to nearly double their current lead, a challenging task on this pitch.
The final session commenced with Aiden Markram attempting a sweep off Jadeja, only to edge the ball to Dhruv Jurel at short leg. In the 17th over, Jadeja's turn took Wiaan Mulder's edge, caught by stand-in captain Rishabh Pant.
Two balls later, Tony de Zorzi was also dismissed by Jadeja, who turned the ball to graze his glove before hitting the pad and being caught by Jurel. Although Temba Bavuma was scoring runs, South Africa continued to lose wickets, with Jadeja claiming another as he clean bowled Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel sending Kyle Verreynne's middle stump cartwheeling.
Bavuma finished the day unbeaten on 29, but India struck again before stumps as Kuldeep Yadav found a thin edge from Marco Jansen's attempted slog sweep, which KL Rahul caught at slip after a fumble. With day three potentially being the decisive day of this unpredictable match, both teams still have everything to play for.
Brief Scores: South Africa 159 and 93/7 in 35 overs (Temba Bavuma 29 not out, Marco Jansen 13; Ravindra Jadeja 4-29, Kuldeep Yadav 2-12) lead India 189 in 62.2 overs (KL Rahul 39, Washington Sundar 29; Simon Harmer 4-30, Marco Jansen 3-35) by 63 runs
Point of View
I see the unfolding drama in this Test match as a showcase of skill and resilience. Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional bowling has given India a fighting chance, but the unpredictability of the pitch adds an intriguing layer. Both teams have the potential to turn the tide, and cricket fans should expect an exhilarating showdown in the coming days.
NationPress
15/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Ravindra Jadeja's bowling figures?
Ravindra Jadeja finished with impressive bowling figures of 4 wickets for 29 runs.
What is the current score of South Africa?
As of the end of day two, South Africa's score is 93 for 7 in 35 overs.
How much lead does South Africa have?
South Africa currently leads by 63 runs.
Who was the standout performer for India?
Ravindra Jadeja was the standout performer with his remarkable bowling performance.
What challenges does the pitch present?
The pitch has shown variable bounce and sharp turn, making batting increasingly difficult.
