Kolkata
South Africa stunned India by 30 runs in a dramatic third-day finish at the Eden Gardens, handing the hosts their first home defeat to the Proteas since 2010. Chasing a modest 124 on a crumbling surface, India folded for just 93, conceding a 0-1 deficit in the two-Test series. Simon Harmer, the veteran off-spinner with more than 1,000 first-class wickets, produced a match-defining performance, finishing with figures of 4/21 in the second innings and eight for 51 overall.
India’s chase began under immense pressure as the pitch continued to play tricks. With Shubman Gill unavailable to bat, the effective scoreline of 38/4 deepened the sense of unease. Earlier in the morning, India were firmly in control with South Africa wobbling at 93/7. But the visitors dug out crucial runs to push their lead into a competitive zone, ensuring every run mattered on an increasingly unpredictable surface.
Harmer’s spell to Rishabh Pant represented the tension of the hour. After sending down nine consecutive dot balls to the left-hander, the off-spinner slowed his pace and tempted Pant into a flick. The edge ballooned back to Harmer, triggering India’s slide. The collapse revived memories of earlier chases gone wrong—121 all out against New Zealand, 170 against England—further adding to the afternoon’s anxiety.
South Africa’s early blows with the new ball set the tone, with Marco Jansen removing KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in successive overs. Though Washington Sundar and Axar Patel showed brief resistance, the target proved too far on a pitch where no batter ever looked settled.
India now travel to Guwahati under pressure, needing a win to avoid Gautam Gambhir’s second home series loss in under a year.
