In a day of extraordinary Test cricket, South Africa trumped India by 30 runs in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday (November 16). Chasing a low but tricky target of 124, India were bowled out for just 93 with Simon Harmer picking up his second four-wicket haul of the game.
Washington Sundar was India's top-scorer in the second innings with 31 while Axar Patel was the only other batter to cross 20 on a pitch that deteriorated at incredible rate. Turn and uneven bounce went to alarming levels, and India's batters didn't help themselves by not having a clear game plan.
Harmer was well supported by his senior spin partner Keshav Maharaj who picked up two wickets including the big one of stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant. With Shubman Gill unavailable to bat due to injury, the rest of the specialist batters had to put up a strong show but that wasn't to be.
Earlier in the day, South Africa's total got stretched to respectable levels due to an exceptional innings from Temba Bavuma (55*) who produced the only half-century from either side in this game. Corbin Bosch (25) supported his captain well and their 44-run stand was the game-defining moment in the context of the game.
Here is the full list of records from the Eden Gardens Test
- South Africa's win at Eden Gardens is their first on Indian soil since 2010 - during this period, they lost seven games and had one draw due to rain on all days of the game
- 124 is the second lowest target successfully defended by South Africa in Tests
- 124 is the lowest target successfully defended by South Africa in Tests on Indian soil
- 124 is the second-highest target successfully defended by any team in India
- 124 is the second lowest target that India have failed to chase down in Tests and lowest in 28 years
- Simon Harmer has bowled in six Test innings on Indian soil and has four-fers in four of those innings
