South Africa beat India by 30 runs, pulling off a miraculous win. India had taken the crucial first-innings lead in the first Test of the two-match series. The match was played at the historic Eden Gardens in Calcutta on Sunday, November 16. The pitch, known to assist spin, turned against the hosts as they failed to counter the turn produced by South Africa's bowlers. Off-spinner Simon Harmer picked up eight wickets across both innings and was named player of the match.
South Africa batted first in this match, but could only put up a moderate total of 159 on the board. Apart from senior batter Aiden Markram (31), none of the South African players crossed the thirty-run mark while Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah ran amok with figures of 5-27. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav also picked up two wickets apiece and contributed to their team's cause.
In response, India did not fare too well and were bowled out for 189. They managed a lead of only 30 runs. Rishabh Pant (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (27) got starts, but only opener KL Rahul (39) could trouble the visiting bowlers. Like their opponents, India could not bat for long periods. Off-spinner Harmer dismantled them with 4-30, helped by left-arm seamer Marco Jansen's 3-35.
In the second innings, South Africa did much better by applying themselves and using the depth of the crease. Skipper Temba Bavuma, walking out to bat at number four, top-scored with a 136-ball 55, hitting just four boundaries but grinding the Indian bowling to dust. Surprisingly, no other South African batter lent him support save Corbin Bosch, lower down the order, who scored 25. The Proteas were bowled out for 153.
India were set a modest target of 124 in the final innings of the match, and were confident of chasing it down. However, Harmer spun his way through the Indian batting order once again and bowled them out for 93, handing his team a 30-run victory. Harmer returned with figures of 4-21 in the second innings while Washington Sundar (31) top-scored for the Indians. No other batter, apart from Axar Patel (26), put up a fight. South Africa now lead the series 1-0, with the second Test to be played in Guwahati from November 22.