India suffers a humiliating 30 run defeat to South Africa in 1st test at Kolkata

 

India suffered a humiliating defeat on a turning pitch to South Africa at Eden Gardens in just 2.5 days .  The surface, tailored insistently for sharp turn, ended up becoming a disastrous boomerang against India themselves. Simon Harmer suddenly looked better than world-class; he appeared almost unplayable. Ultimately, India were trapped by their own “made-to-order” wicket. The very pitch crafted under Gambhir’s instructions proved India’s undoing. Chasing a modest target of 124, Rishabh Pant and his men imploded for just 93. Harmer’s relentless spin handed India a humiliating 30-run defeat.

Six years after Test cricket returned to Eden Gardens, the anticipation had been electric. The historic venue, usually steeped in colour only during white-ball cricket, looked resplendent even in the traditional whites. But instead of celebration, Eden ended the Test with Indian embarrassment and a fierce debate about the surface. The tone was set on Day 1 itself. South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and bravely opted to bat first. India fielded four spinners, backed by Bumrah and Siraj. It took little time for the Proteas to collapse in confusion. The reigning Test champions were bundled out for 159, with Aiden Markram’s 31 being the top score. Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul seemed to put India in full control. Questions even arose about Bavuma’s decision to bat first.

But Shubman Gill and the Indian batters walked straight into the same trap. With the Indian captain sidelined by a neck strain, KL Rahul top-scored with a mere 39. Marco Jansen claimed three wickets, Harmer four. India scraped out a thin 30-run lead, and it became evident that this Test would not last beyond the third day. The only question was how fiercely South Africa would fight back. They answered emphatically, proving exactly why they are world champions and why Bavuma leads this team. His gritty, determined 55—scored with unwavering discipline on a viciously turning track—was almost a masterclass. He was well supported by Corbin Bosch (25) & Harmer (7) . And it will certainly raise eyebrows as to why Washington Sundar wasn’t used even once with the ball in the second innings. South Africa were eventually dismissed for 153, setting India a target of 124.

On any other pitch, the word “only” would precede that target. But on this Eden surface, and with India’s increasingly fragile technique against spin, those runs looked mountainous. The ball spun sharply, but the way it jagged unpredictably caught everyone by surprise. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul fell cheaply under pressure. Jaiswal edged outside off and Rahul caught behind off a short lifting delivery —India were 1 for 2, and the match was already slipping. Washington Sundar fought bravely for 31 showing good defence for long hours . Dhruv Jurel (13) who was playing good perished playing a needless stroke. Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant managed only 2 caught and bowled by the skilful Harmer . Ravindra Jadeja’s lbw was unlucky, as he too looked  comfortable for his 18 . Axar Patel tried to counterattack with boundaries & two colossal sixes , but even his 26 wasn’t enough to steady India in this “graveyard of batting”. India collapsed for 93. Harmer took four wickets again, with Jansen and Maharaj grabbing two each, and even Markram chipping in.

There is one more place where the word “only” fits—Gambhir’s Test record as coach. His major victories in red-ball cricket have come against Bangladesh and West Indies. India smashed New Zealand last year, but now, in the post-Kohli, post-Rohit era, India have stumbled to a home Test defeat against South Africa. The question now is: who will take responsibility for this bruising loss on home soil?