Overview
- India were bowled out for 93 chasing 124 inside three days as Simon Harmer took eight in the match and the Proteas went 1-0 up.
- Captain Shubman Gill sustained a neck spasm on day two, was ruled out and hospitalized for observation, and Rishabh Pant led in his absence.
- The pitch drew heavy criticism as a rank turner with variable bounce, though head coach Gautam Gambhir said it was the surface the team requested.
- Team choices and on-field calls came under fire, including selecting four spinners with Washington Sundar at No. 3 and starting day three with left-arm spin, which Ravichandran Ashwin called a "massive error."
- Analysts questioned India’s declining play against spin and selection instability as the defeat dropped them to fourth in the WTC; the second Test begins November 22 in Guwahati and Gill’s availability is uncertain.