Overview
- Temba Bavuma won the toss and batted at Eden Gardens, which is hosting its first Test since 2019.
- Jasprit Bumrah led with 5-27 for his 16th Test five-for, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav with two wickets each and Axar Patel with one.
- South Africa’s bright start unraveled as wickets tumbled either side of lunch, with the collapse accelerated once the ball began to reverse.
- India replied with 37/1 at stumps, trailing by 122, after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to Marco Jansen and KL Rahul and Washington Sundar saw out bad-light-affected close.
- India picked four spinners and recalled Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, while South Africa were without Kagiso Rabada due to a rib injury, bringing in Corbin Bosch.