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South Africa Defend 124 To Beat India By 30 Runs At Eden Gardens, Take 1-0 Lead

A three-day struggle on a variable Eden Gardens surface has renewed scrutiny of India’s methods on turning, inconsistent pitches.

Overview

  • Simon Harmer claimed eight wickets across the match and was named player of the match, with Keshav Maharaj striking twice in two balls to seal the result.
  • India were dismissed for 93 in pursuit of 124, as Washington Sundar top-scored with 31 and Axar Patel’s late 26 ended with a catch off Maharaj.
  • Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 55, aided by Corbin Bosch’s 25, lifted South Africa to 153 in the second innings and set a defendable target.
  • Captain Shubman Gill was hospitalized with a neck spasm and took no further part, leaving Rishabh Pant to lead and India effectively a batter short.
  • The pitch drew heavy criticism for inconsistent bounce and sharp turn, while head coach Gautam Gambhir defended it as the exact surface India requested; the second Test starts Nov. 22 in Guwahati.