IND vs SA Test 1 Day 1 : Bumrah Shines over Proteas with a 5-for
At the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the hosts made a commanding start in the Ind vs SA Test 1 Day 1 of the series. The visitors, South Africa national cricket team, won the toss and elected to bat, but their hopes of a strong first-innings platform were dashed by a ruthless bowling display.
India vs South Africa — 1st Test
ICC World Test Championship 2025/26 • 14 November 2025
Day 1: 14 Nov 2025 • Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
India
South AfricaSouth Africa started positively but collapsed after a promising opening stand. Jasprit Bumrah produced a destructive spell and ripped through the top order, finishing with five wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj supported well to keep the pressure constant. India closed Day 1 at 37 for 1, with KL Rahul and Washington Sundar unbeaten and the hosts firmly in control heading into Day 2.
What happened on the opening day
Session 1 (Morning — SA batting start to lunch)
South Africa elected to bat and got off to a strong opening stand of 57 / 0, looking comfortable on the surface. However, the momentum shifted sharply when India’s seam spearhead Jasprit Bumrah struck, uprooting the top order with a sharp in-swinging length delivery that caught the edge of Ryan Rickelton’s bat and crashed into the stumps. From that point the hosts began to get on top, and by lunch South Africa were reduced to around 105/3 — the initiative now clearly with India. India dominated this session through precision and control, and Bumrah was the standout with the breakthrough that swung the balance.
Session 2 (Afternoon — SA middle to late batting)
Post-lunch South Africa looked to rebuild but found India’s attack relentless. The visitors managed to cross 140, but then lost wickets at regular intervals—with spin from Kuldeep Yadav striking to remove key batters and the pressure telling in the field via tight lines and disciplined running. South Africa went from a position of promise to being eight down around tea time at 154/8. India wholly dominated the session—from bowling, fielding and momentum—and Kuldeep especially made the difference by triggering a collapse.
Session 3 (Evening — Reply and early India innings)
With South Africa bowled out for 159, India began their reply cautiously after tea. The hosts lost one early wicket (Yashasvi Jaiswal for 12) but stabilised thanks to KL Rahul and Washington Sundar putting together an unbeaten 19-run stand at stumps, leaving India at 37/1 and still trailing by 122 runs. India showed smart, measured batting to close out the day without further damage. India dominated this session in terms of control and calm response, though South Africa would have felt they might have done more with the ball.
Top performers of the day
Jasprit Bumrah - 5 wickets for 27 runs
Bumrah was absolutely outstanding. He finished with figures of 5 for 27 and was the key reason South Africa collapsed after a promising start. His first-session breakthrough set the tone and he maintained pressure throughout. India owed their dominance to his brilliance.
Kuldeep Yadav - 2 wickets for 36 runs
While Bumrah grabbed the headlines, Kuldeep was crucial in the middle session. He secured key wickets when South Africa were trying to recover (including that of Temba Bavuma) and his spin craft helped India turn the screws in the afternoon. His contribution was vital in converting advantage into dominance.
South Africa — 1st Innings: 159 all outTop Batters: Aiden Markram 31, Ryan Rickelton 24
Best IND Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah 5/27, Kuldeep Yadav 2/36, Mohammed Siraj 2/47
India — 1st Innings: 37/1 at stumps (Day 1)Top Batters: KL Rahul 13*, Washington Sundar 6*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 12
Best SA Bowler: Marco Jansen 1/9
India trail by 122 runs with 9 wickets in hand.
What to expect on Day 2
Day 2 promises to shape the direction of this Test. India will look to bat long, build a meaningful first-innings lead, and put South Africa under real scoreboard pressure. KL Rahul’s calm presence will be crucial up top, while Washington Sundar will aim to convert his start into something more substantial. South Africa, meanwhile, need early wickets to keep themselves alive in the contest, especially before the pitch starts slowing down and offering more assistance to spin. Tomorrow has all the signs of a momentum-shifting day — one that could decide who controls the rest of the Test.
