South Africa vs India: Proteas Crush Hosts by 30 Runs in Dramatic Eden Gardens Test

The first Test between South Africa and India at Eden Gardens delivered a stunning upset that sent shockwaves across the cricket world. South Africa, often criticized for inconsistency in Asian conditions, produced a complete performance to beat India by 30 runs, ending a 15-year drought of Test victories inside India. The match was packed with drama — injuries, collapses, and incredible spells of spin bowling — turning it into one of the most talked-about contests of 2025.

Date: 14–16 November 2025

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India

Final Score:

South Africa: 159 & 153
India: 189 & 93
Result: South Africa won by 30 runs

Match Overview

The match began with India posting a modest 189, with the pitch already showing variable bounce on Day 1. South Africa, in response, struggled but managed 159, thanks to crucial middle-order contributions.

The turning point came early on Day 2 when Indian captain Shubman Gill suffered neck spasms and was taken to hospital, deeply affecting India’s top-order stability. Without their leader and most in-form batsman, India appeared mentally shaken.

South Africa’s second innings was defined by Temba Bavuma’s gritty unbeaten 55. On a pitch where every run felt like gold, Bavuma’s innings was a masterclass in patience, footwork, and survival. His performance set India a chase of 124, a target that seemed achievable at first — until Simon Harmer took over.

In the final innings, India collapsed to 93, undone by ruthless spin bowling from Harmer and disciplined seam support. The Proteas showed superior adaptability, outspinning India on their own turf — a rare sight.

Key Statistics

Statistic	India	South Africa
1st Innings Score	189	159
2nd Innings Score	93	153
Total Runs	282	312
Top Scorer (Match)	—	Bavuma – 55*
Best Bowler	Harmer – 4/21	Harmer – 8 wickets total
Fall of Wickets (2nd Innings)	12/1, 33/2, 47/3…	—
Partnership Avg	Below 30	Above 40 (key stands)
Result	Lost by 30 runs	Won by 30 runs

What This Means

For South Africa:
This victory is a statement of intent. Winning a Test in India is extremely rare, and doing it with spin dominance boosts their confidence for the World Test Championship. Harmer and Bavuma’s performances show a new level of maturity in the squad.

For India:
This defeat exposes clear weaknesses — overreliance on key players, a fragile middle order, and poor performance under pressure. Experimental selections and misreading the pitch also contributed to the defeat.

Player Ratings

India Player	Rating	South Africa Player	Rating
Rohit Sharma	6.5	Temba Bavuma	9.1
Shubman Gill	6.0	Aiden Markram	7.1
Virat Kohli	5.9	Dean Elgar	6.8
Shreyas Iyer	5.0	Keegan Petersen	7.0
KL Rahul	6.2	David Bedingham	6.6
Ravindra Jadeja	6.8	Marco Jansen	8.0
R Ashwin	6.9	Keshav Maharaj	7.4
Ishan Kishan	4.8	Simon Harmer	9.5 (MOTM)
Jasprit Bumrah	7.5	Kagiso Rabada	7.7
Mohammed Siraj	6.7	Gerald Coetzee	7.2
Mukesh Kumar	5.5	Nandre Burger	6.9

Conclusion

South Africa’s 30-run win over India will go down as one of the most impactful away victories of the decade. With disciplined bowling, smart batting, and exceptional leadership, the Proteas outclassed India on their home soil. For India, the match raises concerns that must be addressed quickly. For South Africa, it opens a new chapter of confidence, resilience, and belief.

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