South Africa beat India by 30 runs in first Kolkata Test

Dubai: India failed to chase a target of 124 as they were bowled out for 93 in 35 overs to hand South Africa a 30-run win at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday.

On an increasingly difficult batting pitch that offered variable bounce to the bowlers, only Washington Sundar (31) showed some resistance. Axar Patel provided some late fire works but to no avail.

Notably, the highest successful run chase in Tests in Kolkata is 117 runs, which India pulled off against the same opposition back in 2004.

After 117, the next-highest successful chase at the venue is 79, achieved by India against England in 1993, underscoring how difficult batting becomes in the fourth innings at Eden Gardens.

The match saw 30 wickets fall across the two and a half days. India bowled out South Africa for 159 after being asked to field first. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for the hosts, recording his 16th five-wicket haul in Tests. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj supported him well, picking up two wickets each as the Proteas folded shortly after Tea on Day 1.

India, however, found batting just as hard and were dismissed for 189. KL Rahul top-scored with a gritty 39 on a difficult surface while Rishabh Pant helped with a quick 27 off just 24 balls. Ravindra Jadeja's 27-run innings also helped India as they gained a 30-run lead. For South Africa, spinner Simon Harmer shone with a four-wicket haul, while Marco Jansen claimed three wickets.

Trailing by 30 runs, South Africa managed 153 in their second innings, setting India a target of 124. While most of the visiting batters struggled against Jadeja's spin, captain Temba Bavuma batted with resistance with a determined 55, the only fifty of the match up to Lunch on Day 3. Corbin Bosch also contributed with an important 25 to keep South Africa's scoreboard moving. Jadeja claimed figures of 4-50 in 20 overs while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj bagged two wickets each, with Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah claiming one apiece.