Main points:
The match was decided on the third day itself, which clearly showed that the pitch proved to be very challenging for the batsmen.
Delhi: In the first Test played at the historic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, India had to face defeat by 30 runs against South Africa. In the match, the visiting team performed better in both batting and bowling departments. The match was decided on the third day itself, which clearly showed that the pitch proved to be very challenging for the batsmen.
South Africa’s historic achievement
This was South Africa’s 100th win while batting first. It has become the fourth team in the world to reach this milestone. Before him, only Australia, England and India were able to register 100 Test wins while batting first. Adopting the right strategy, they won the toss and decided to bat first and controlled the match from the beginning.
Bavuma’s fighting half-century
Captain Temba Bavuma played a patient and responsible innings in difficult conditions and scored unbeaten 55 runs. Facing 136 balls, he completed his half-century with the help of four fours. In this match, he was the only player to score a half-century from both the teams.
Simon Harmer’s wonder
Star off-spinner Simon Harmer became the biggest hero of the match. He took 8 wickets in the entire match and troubled the Indian batting badly in both the innings. In the first innings he took four wickets, while in the second innings he took four more wickets for 21 runs. Along with him, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj also bowled usefully and kept the pressure on the Indian batsmen continuously.
Indian batting failed again
India’s batting was very disappointing in this match. In the second innings, Washington Sundar scored 31 runs and Akshar Patel scored a brisk 26 runs in 17 balls, but no batsman could survive after understanding the nature of the pitch. From the top order to the middle order, all the batsmen were out rapidly and the team collapsed for just 93 runs while chasing the target of 124 runs.
Increase of guests in the series
With this victory, South Africa has taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. Now India has only one chance left in which it can level the series.
