South Africa defeated their favored counterparts by 30 runs in the inaugural Test in Kolkata on Sunday for their first victory in India in 15 years, exposing once again the weaknesses of Indian batters against superior spin in difficult home conditions.
India was bowled out for 93 in 35 overs while chasing 124, as they never showed the poise or strategy that Temba Bavuma had shown earlier in the day. Shubman Gill was unable to bat on day three after being admitted to the hospital with a neck injury.
The difference between victory and defeat came from off-spinner Simon Harmer’s eight wickets in the match on a poorly prepared pitch that was supposed to favor Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
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To make the absence of Gill even worse, Marco Jansen left India reeling after taking two wickets in his first seven deliveries. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a four-ball duck, while his opening partner KL Rahul made one before being caught behind.
Harmer removed Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant to leave India tottering at 38/4, before adding the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja (18) to deepen the crisis.
Aiden Markram then delivered a pivotal strike, snapping Washington Sundar’s promising innings on 31 with a sharp catch in the slips. Sensing there was little value in merely surviving, Axar Patel counter-attacked with a couple of sixes, but his dismissal for 26 all but confirmed South Africa’s victory.
