Calcutta: Vice-captain Rishabh Pant said it best: “We should have managed to chase it.” His words reflected the frustration of a team that let victory slip away as South Africa claimed their first Test win on Indian soil in 14 years, defeating the hosts by 30 runs in a thrilling, low-scoring contest at Eden Gardens.
The game, which came to an end in three dramatic days, saw wild momentum before the visitors’ spinners, led by the wily Simon Harmer, dismantled India’s batting line-up. The 36-year-old Harmer turned back the clock and took four wickets in each innings. He finished the game with a record of 8-51 and deservedly took home the Player of the Game award.
A thriller unfolds
South Africa, coming into this series fresh from their World Test Championship victory at Lord’s earlier this year, fell behind early on. Trailing by 30 runs after the first innings, they began the third day with a precarious score of 93 for 7 – a slim lead of just 63 runs. But captain Temba Bavuma rose to the occasion with an impressive unbeaten 55 off 136 balls.
Bavuma, the only player in the game to cross the 40 mark, steadied the innings with disciplined defense and keen awareness. Aided by a handy 25 from Corbin Bosch, he led his team to 153 points. These runs proved to be pure gold on a wicket that was becoming increasingly treacherous.
India is reeling in Chase
India needed just 124 points to win and was expected to canter home. Instead, the chase ended almost immediately. Left-arm seamer Marco Jansen delivered two early hits, removing both openers – Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul – with almost identical catches behind the stumps. The scoreboard read 1-2 and the pressure was on.
Pant’s side never recovered. With captain Shubman Gill missing due to a neck injury sustained on the second day – he remains under medical observation and played no further role – India was effectively missing a batsman. Washington Sundar fought hard for his 31 off 92 balls and showed admirable composure, but when he fell to part-timer Aiden Markram, the resistance collapsed.
Harmer and fellow spinner Keshav Maharaj (2 for 37) cleaned up the middle order and took the final five wickets in just eight overs. The Indian innings produced 93 in 35 overs as the South Africans celebrated a rare and hard-fought victory on Indian soil.
Voices from the camp
Rishabh Pant, visibly disappointed but pragmatic, admitted that India had wasted the game. “After a game like this you can’t think about it for too long,” he said. “We should have been able to chase him down. The pressure continued to mount. Temba and Bosch had a good stand this morning and that partnership hurt us. A score of 120 can be difficult on these surfaces but we should have been able to absorb the pressure and capitalize on it. We will certainly come back stronger.”
For Simon Harmer, this victory was deeply personal. Reflecting on his journey, he said: “I’ve been in dark places before, so to be back here behind the eight ball and fight back like we did is a testament to our belief. I’m not a statistician – I’m a winner. Personal accolades are trumped by a win and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Captain Temba Bavuma praised his bowlers and acknowledged the team’s adaptability. “It was very exciting. We wanted to be part of these tough games and be on the right side of the result,” he said. “My stance on Bosch was crucial. The wicket played better this morning but our bowlers really brought us back into the contention. Without Kagiso (Rabada), it was down to Simon and Kesh and they delivered.”
Looking ahead
For India, the focus now shifts to regrouping ahead of the second and final Test in Guwahati, which begins on November 22. Questions remain about their handling of pressure and their inability to assert themselves in home conditions – usually their stronghold.
For South Africa, this victory is a sign – a reminder that they are no longer the timid tourists of old, but a confident, versatile unit capable of producing results anywhere in the world.
As the sun set over Eden Gardens, Rishabh Pant’s words lingered – both as an admission and as a promise: India may have faltered this time, but they want to come back stronger.
