Kolkata Test: Bumrah fifer blows away South Africa as India dominate on Day 1

Published

5 months ago

November 14, 2025

KOLKATA: Jasprit Bumrah turned a rare four-spinner gamble into his personal stage, producing a mesmerising exhibition of seam, swing and control as India skittled out South Africa for 159 on the opening day of the first Test, here Friday.

India ends Day 1 at 37-1 after Bumrah’s five-wicket haul dismisses South Africa for 159

On a surface that drew pre-match scrutiny for its dry look, prompting India to field four spinners for the first time since 2012, it was India’s pace star who made the ball talk the loudest, returning a superb 14-2-27-5, his 16 five-wicket hauls in 96 innings.

Bumrah produced a masterclass across little over two sessions, as South Africa crashed from a commanding 57 for no loss in 10 overs to lose all 10 wickets for just 102 runs in next 45 overs, with their innings lasting just four hours and 13 minutes after opting to bat.

It’s South Africa’s second-lowest total after a fifty-plus opening stand in men’s Tests since their readmission. The lowest is 130 in their second innings in the 2018 Cape Town Test, also against India after a 52-run opening stand.

India ended the day at 37 for one in 20 overs, with a resolute KL Rahul (13 batting from 59 balls) and Washington Sundar (six batting; 38 balls) steady at the crease after Yashasvi Jaiswal (12) dragged Marco Jansen onto his stumps while playing close to his body.

The duo looked in no hurry on a pitch offering spice and variable bounce as they cut the deficit to 122 runs in front of a sizeable Eden crowd of 36,000-plus.

As light faded, South Africa crowded the bat with close-in fielders, hoping for a late breakthrough and used five bowlers. But Rahul and Sundar stayed calm and assured, seeing out the final overs without further damage.

South Africa, missing their lead pacer Kagiso Rabada due to a rib injury, had looked primed for a big score after Aiden Markram (31 from 48 balls; 5×4, 1×6) and Ryan Rickelton’s (23 off 22b; 4×4) brisk opening stand.

Markram, after 23 dot balls, opened up with a straight drive and a flowing cover drive, later twice punishing Axar Patel and unfurling a deft late cut past backward point.

He also launched Axar for a wristy six over midwicket as the run-rate surged above five an over. At the other end, Rickelton’s hit-and-miss 22 off 23 (4×4) added to India’s frustration.

But just before the drinks break in the opening session, Bumrah from the Clubhouse end turned the morning on its head with two wickets in five balls across successive overs in his first spell that read 7-4-9-2.

A 140 kmph length ball straightened late to uproot Rickelton’s off stump, and minutes later a short-of-length delivery leapt spitefully to take Markram’s glove—the contrast in bounce summing up the pitch’s variable nature.

He returned after lunch to trap Tony de Zorzi (24) in front with one that skidded through, before closing out the second session with reverse swing that split open the tail.

Simon Harmer’s stumps were sent cartwheeling, and three balls later Keshav Maharaj was pinned plumb in front.

Siraj, Kuldeep tighten noose

Having leaked 34 runs from six overs in the first session, Mohammed Siraj (2/47) delivered a sharp twin strike in the second session, removing Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in four balls in his 10^th over.

Verreynne (16) burned South Africa’s last review after being struck pad-then-bat, while Jansen was breached by a reversing length ball that darted in.

Kuldeep Yadav (2/29) chipped in with the key wicket of skipper Temba Bavuma, snared smartly at leg slip by Dhruv Jurel, and later removed a compact-looking Wiaan Mulder (24).

After the early losses of Bavuma and the openers, Mulder and Tony de Zorzi tried to steady the innings with circumspect batting.

Mulder applied himself for more than 50 balls, looked compact against India’s four-pronged spin attack, but lost focus 15 minutes into the second session.

Attempting to break free with a reverse sweep against Kuldeep, he missed it completely and was trapped lbw, a key dismissal that opened the floodgates with Bumrah and then Siraj’s twin strike adding to South Africa’s woes.

Axar Patel (1/21) got rid of Corbin Bosch at tea as India maintained relentless pressure.

Brief Scores

South Africa 1st innings: 159 all out in 55 overs (Wiaan Mulder 24, Tony de Zorzi 24; Jasprit Bumrah 5/27).

India 1st innings: 37 for one in 20 overs (KL Rahul 13 not out; Marco Jansen 1/11).

Related Topics:India Jasprit Bumrah Kolkata South Africa

Up Next

IPL 2026: SRH set to trade Veteran Mohammed Shami to LSG

Don't Miss

IPL 2026 auction to take place in Abu Dhabi

Punjab Kings register biggest T20 run chase of 265 against Delhi Capitals

Published

18 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Staff Reporter

Punjab Kings, the chase masters have added another feather to their illustrious cap as they have hunted down a mammoth 265 against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, IPL 2026.

The Kings have yet again registered the highest chase in T20 cricket ever, breaking down their own previous record when they hunted down 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

Chasing a daunting 264 after KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152 and Nitish Rana’s 91 powered Delhi to 264 for 2, Punjab needed a fearless start. What followed was one of the most explosive powerplay displays in IPL history. Arya and Prabhsimran took DC’s bowlers to the cleaners, racing to 100 in just 5.2 overs, the second-fastest team hundred in IPL history.

Thereafter, captain Shreyas Iyer (71 off 36 balls) with ample support from Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh at the other end paced the chase to perfection to take his side to a memorable win with seven balls to spare.

‘I have no answers’: Pant admits batting collapse

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2026

Staff Reporter

A distraught Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant did not have any answer for his team’s defence after a morale-crushing 40-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants in an IPL match, other than accepting the responsibility that his side didn’t read the surface properly.

Pant’s Reaction To The Defeat

“I don’t have answers. Batting has let us down. We are disappointed as a team, as a group,” Pant said after his team were skittled out for 119 chasing a small 160-run target.

“You have to look for answers inside, not outside. We could have taken some time while batting. No excuses out there. Including myself, we could have taken it deeper. As a batting group, we have to put our hands up,” Pant offered a feeble explanation.

Mohammed Shami’s bowling effort stood out and Pant found that to be a silver lining.

“We have to look at positives. We have to keep our head high and look for answers inside. We have the firepower to turn the season around.”

Other Players’ Perspectives

Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag knew that there was help off the surface.

“We knew it would swing, the lines and lengths they (Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer) bowled, impressive. The message on the groups have been very positive,” Riyan said after the match.

On his own poor show, Riyan said that he has been going through some personal crisis and the team stands firmly behind him.

“I had gone through something, even now I am going through something and everyone understands that,” he said.

Jadeja’s Performance And Dedication

Ravindra Jadeja, whose unbeaten 43 proved to be crucial, dedicated the award to his wife Rivaba, the current education minister of Gujarat, for her encouraging phone call ahead of the game.

“I want to dedicate the award to the education minister (wife Rivaba Jadeja) of Gujarat. She said yesterday that I will do well and I did.”

He conceded that the wicket wasn’t easy for batting.

“Wicket was not easy to bat because the ball was seaming and swinging. I wanted to play long as much as I can. In T20 cricket, you never know last over you can cash in and we did.”

He knew that Mayank Yadav is coming back after a long injury lay-off and wanted to attack him consciously, getting 20 off the final over.

“Not easy coming back from injury. I was just backing my strength. I was telling my partner to wait and go after the bowling.”

His celebration after dismissing Nicholas Pooran and gesturing that he is in his “pocket” was well received by the supporters.

“The ball was gripping so I was thinking whether I should bowl quicker or slow. When bowling slow, I got some hold and that helped,” he said.

Mohammed Nawaz under PCB investigation following positive recreational drug test

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2026

Staff Reporter

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammed Nawaz is under investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the emergence of a positive drug test for recreational drug usage, reported ESPNCricinfo.

Consequently, Nawaz’s deal with Surrey and participation in the T20 Blast tournament have fallen through. The all-rounder is a pivotal part of Pakistan’s white-ball line-up, particularly in T20Is.

A spokesperson from PCB told ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday, ” The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and PCB has begun the due process. The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today.”

As per ESPNCricinfo, the positive result first emerged during tests held during the T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February to March this year. Pakistan played all seven of their matches till their Super Eight stage finish in Sri Lanka as part of the hybrid model. Nawaz had a modest tournament with bat and ball, scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets.

Nawaz had agreed for a deal with Surrey and was supposed to feature in the T20 Blast tournament taking place from May 26 to June 18. Even a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) was given to Nawaz, as announced by PCB weeks back, and Surrey had planned to unveil him as their newest signee this week.

But now with plans falling through, Surrey has not commented on the matter so far. However, the all-rounder is enjoying a decent run with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), having taken six wickets in eight matches at an average of 32.66 and bowling three wicketless overs in their six-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in Karachi on Tuesday night.

So far, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have made no comments on the matter.