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1h ago

India Seize Control on Crumbling Eden Pitch as South Africa Slump to 93/7

Ravindra Jadeja’s four-wicket burst on an unexpectedly deteriorating surface has intensified scrutiny of pitch preparation.

Indian players celebrate a wicket on second day of the First Test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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Rishabh Pant in conversation with Kuldeep Yadav.
India's captain Shubman Gill reacts as he leaves the field after retiring hurt on the second day of the first Test against South Africa

Overview

  • South Africa closed Day 2 on 93/7 with a lead of 63, leaving India positioned to finish the job quickly on Day 3.
  • Jadeja took 4/27 in a 13-over spell as spinners dominated on a surface offering sharp turn and variable bounce, with Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel sharing three more.
  • Rishabh Pant’s stump‑mic instruction for Kuldeep Yadav to bowl around the wicket set up Marco Jansen’s dismissal, completed by a low catch from KL Rahul.
  • India were bowled out for 189 after South Africa’s 159 in the first innings, shaping a low-scoring contest; Axar Patel said a target under 125 would be comfortable to chase.
  • Pitch conditions drew heavy criticism from former players, while bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted the rapid deterioration was unexpected; Shubman Gill left the field with a neck spasm for precautionary scans.