India finished Day One of the first Test against South Africa at 37/1 in 20 overs, trailing by 122 runs after Jasprit Bumrah’s impressive five-wicket haul dismissed the visitors for 159 at Eden Gardens on Friday. Bad light cut the final session short, leading to the early exit of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, KL Rahul (13 not out) and Washington Sundar (six not out) ensured no further losses before stumps, adding 19 runs in a steady second-wicket partnership on a pitch exhibiting variable bounce. Earlier, on a tricky two-paced surface, Bumrah excelled with figures of 5-27 in 14 overs, dismantling South Africa’s batting after they had started strongly at 57/0.
The visitors lost all ten wickets for just 102 runs, leaving India in a commanding position at the end of the first day. In addition to Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Axar Patel claimed one. After South Africa opted to bat first, Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram managed the initial overs well, achieving a fifty for the opening stand — the first for the Proteas in India after 17 innings. Rickelton quickly punished Siraj’s wayward bowling with three boundaries, while Markram, after a cautious start, hit some exquisite boundaries, including a six off Axar. Bumrah turned the tide for India with his double strike, dismissing Rickelton and Markram with crucial deliveries.
Brief scores: South Africa 159 all out in 55 overs (Aiden Markram 31, Ryan Rickelton 23; Jasprit Bumrah 5-27, Kuldeep Yadav 2-36) trail India 37/1 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 13 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 12; Marco Jansen 1-11) by 122 runs.