KOLKATA: India endured a humbling setback in Kolkata, slipping to a 30-run defeat against South Africa as their attempt to chase a modest 124 fell apart on the third day at Eden Gardens. It marked the second time in less than a year that India failed to reach even 150 while chasing in a home Test.
On a deteriorating surface that kept producing unpredictable bounce, India’s bowlers were left exasperated during a crucial morning stand between South African skipper Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch. Their 44-run partnership pushed the visitors’ lead past 100, giving them just enough breathing room to stay alive in the contest. By the time India removed three wickets, Bavuma’s unbeaten 55 had already taken the advantage to 123.
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India’s reply was effectively handicapped before it even began. Captain Shubman Gill, unable to recover from a severe neck spasm suffered the previous day, was ruled out of the remainder of the match. The innings then unravelled quickly as Marco Jansen dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck and KL Rahul for just one, leaving India rattled early.
The middle order faced an equally stiff challenge on a pitch that constantly played tricks on the batters’ minds. Off-spinner Simon Harmer sparked a collapse, first removing Dhruv Jurel with a short ball that was hauled straight to deep mid-wicket. He then accounted for stand-in captain Rishabh Pant for only two, before sneaking in a quick yorker to pin Ravindra Jadeja leg-before.
Washington Sundar, batting at No. 3, showed resistance for a while, dead-batting everything thrown at him. But once Bavuma tossed the ball to part-timer Aiden Markram, the off-spinner drew a faint edge that popped to slip, ending Sundar’s gritty stay and sealing India’s disappointing chase.
Axar teases and falls
South Africa’s gamble with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj nearly turned the game on its head. After 72 quiet balls, Axar Patel finally broke the deadlock with a boundary, then followed it up with a six and another four. Sensing an opening, Maharaj tossed one wider outside off, and Axar’s mistimed heave went straight to Bavuma. On the very next ball, Maharaj drew an outside edge from Mohammed Siraj, sealing South Africa’s first Test victory on Indian soil in 15 years. The triumph gives the Proteas a strong surge of confidence heading into the second Test in Guwahati on Saturday.
India’s dubious Test chasing record at home
India’s defeat was their second at home in a low-target Test chase—both coming during Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as coach—despite needing fewer than 150 runs. Remarkably, no other side has suffered even a single home loss while chasing a sub-150 target in the entire 21st century.
Just last year, New Zealand pulled off a memorable 3-0 sweep against India, sealing it with a 25-run win at the Wankhede Stadium after preventing the hosts from reaching a 147-run target.
Overall, India’s record in similar home chases remains patchy. At this venue alone, they have managed to successfully chase a three-figure total only once in 13 attempts.
