Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav delivered a devastating performance, ripping through the South African batting lineup on Day 1 of the first test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India seized control after dismissing the Proteas for a paltry 159 all out. Bumrah claimed his 16th five-wicket haul in just 51 tests, finishing with figures of 5-27 from 14 overs.
Proteas' Early Promise Turns to Disaster
Initially, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton provided a glimmer of hope, adding 57 for the first wicket after Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat. However, the tourists then suffered a dramatic collapse, losing all 10 wickets for a mere 102 runs.
Bumrah was in exceptional form, consistently troubling the South African batsmen with his pace and movement. Markram, in particular, struggled against Bumrah's opening spell, requiring 23 balls to get off the mark. Rickelton (23) was bowled by a superb delivery from Bumrah that straightened from around the wicket to hit his off stump. Markram (31) edged a steeply bouncing delivery from Bumrah to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Kuldeep Joins the Party
Kuldeep Yadav also contributed significantly, taking 2 wickets for 36 runs. He dismissed Captain Temba Bavuma (3) with a sharp leg-break that spun off the inside edge and into the hands of Dhruv Jurel at backward short leg.
At lunch, South Africa were 105-3, hoping for a recovery. However, they endured a miserable session as Bumrah and Kuldeep continued to dominate. India ended the day at 37-1 from 20 overs, firmly in control of the match. The Proteas will need a monumental effort to recover from this disastrous start.