On a difficult pitch, Jasprit Bumrah bowled brilliantly, taking 5/27 to dismiss South Africa for 159. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav each took two wickets. India reduced the deficit to 122 runs at stumps, although Yashasvi Jaiswal (12) was dismissed. KL Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) remained at the crease.
This is the first match of the two-match Test series, which began on November 14 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This is the first time the two teams are facing each other on Indian soil since 2020. India drew the previous South Africa Test series, which was played away. Team India is aiming for a win here to extend its home Test winning streak into 2025.
South Africa got off to a good start with a half-century partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram, but Bumrah made a quick comeback, dismissing both openers. Kuldeep dismissed captain Temba Bavuma after lunch, while Bumrah took the wicket of Tony de Zorzi. Mohammed Siraj then dismissed Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in consecutive overs. Axar Patel dismissed Corbin Bosch just before the tea break, and finally, Bumrah dismissed Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj to complete his five-wicket haul.
India, in their first innings, played 20 overs and scored 37 runs for the loss of one wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the lone batter dismissed, cleaned up by Marco Jansen.