South Africa has taken a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series by defeating India by 30 runs in the first test. Now Team India cannot win this series, even after winning the last match, India will only be able to draw the series. In the first Test played in Kolkata, India had to score only 124 runs to win, chasing which Team India collapsed for 93 runs. In this, 3 unwanted records were registered in the name of Team India.

Second biggest defeat while chasing lowest target

This is India’s second biggest defeat while chasing the lowest target in Test cricket. In 1997, India lost after trailing by 120 runs. That is still the biggest defeat while chasing the lowest number of runs.

• 120 vs WI Bridgetown 1997
• 124 vs SA Eden Gardens 2025
• 147 vs NZ Wankhede 2024
• 176 vs SL Galle 2015
• 193 vs Eng Lord’s 2025

Second smallest target defended by South Africa

This is South Africa’s second big win while defending the smallest score. Earlier in 1994, South Africa had won against Australia by defending 117 runs. Earlier in the list, the second match was played in 1997, when South Africa had defended 146 runs against Pakistan.

• 117 vs Aus Sydney 1994
• 124 vs Ind Eden Gardens 2025
• 146 vs Pak Faisalabad 1997
• 177 vs SL Kandy 2000

Second smallest target defense in India

This is the second biggest win while defending the smallest target in the Test played in India. In 2004, India defended the target of 107 runs against Australia.

• 107 Ind vs Aus Wankhede 2004
• 124 SA vs Ind Eden Gardens 2025
• 147 NZ vs Ind Wankhede 2024
• 170 Ind vs SA Ahmedabad 1996

Simon Harmer became the hero of the match

When South Africa’s first innings was all out for 159, India got a lead of only 30 runs in the first innings and collapsed to 189. In the second innings of South Africa, 7 wickets had fallen at the score of 91, then captain Temba Bavuma crossed the target of 100 by playing an unbeaten half-century. When South Africa’s second innings ended at 153, it seemed that India would easily win the match because the target was only 124.

Simon Harmer, who took 4 wickets in the first innings, also took 4 wickets in the second innings, he dismissed the main batsmen like Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja. Earlier, Marco Yanson had made a good start by sending both the openers to the pavilion at the score of 1 run. Harmer received the Player of the Match award.

South Africa has defeated India by 30 runs in the Kolkata Test. This match ended in about two and a half days. Team India had got the target of 124 runs in the fourth innings, but in reply the entire Indian team collapsed for 93 runs. In India’s second innings, 7 batsmen could not even touch double figures in terms of runs, out of which four batsmen could not even open their account. Know here what were the three biggest reasons for the defeat of the Indian team.

Bad start in both innings

Spin bowlers started dominating the match from the second day itself. The Indian team could not make a good start in both the innings of this match. In the first innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul together added 18 runs, but in the second innings the first wicket fell at zero. Overall, especially Jaiswal could not lay the foundation of Team India’s big score.

The bowling was weak in the second innings

Team India had a lead of 30 runs in the first innings. Indian bowlers had reduced South Africa’s 7 wickets for just 91 runs in the second innings. But the last 3 wickets of Africa added 62 runs, which proved very costly for the Indian batsmen.

simon harmer lies heavy alone

Usually, on the Kolkata pitch, the spinners start getting help from the third day, but this time the spinners started taking wickets on the second day. The experience of Simon Harmer was very useful for South Africa, who took 8 wickets in the match. He even advised Keshav Maharaj regarding the correct tappa. Let us tell you that Harmer has taken more than one thousand first-class wickets.

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Indian batsmen had a shameful performance in the first Test played in Kolkata, due to which Team India lost by 30 runs despite chasing the target of 124 runs. The Eden Gardens pitch has also come under question, where there was no help for the batsmen. Temba Bavuma has maintained the record of never losing under his captaincy, whereas this morning it seemed that Team India will win this match easily.

Team India had a lead of 30 runs in the first innings, whereas in the second innings, South Africa’s 7 wickets had fallen at 91 runs. When the match started today, South Africa had a lead of only 63 runs, then captain Temba Bavuma along with Corbin Bosch made a partnership of 44 runs and took the lead beyond 100. Bavuma was the only batsman to score a half-century in this match, he was unbeaten on 55 when South Africa was all out for 153 runs in the second innings.

Team India could not achieve the target of 124

The target in front of India was not very big, but the beginning in the second innings was very bad. In the very first over, Marco Janson sent Yashasvi Jaiswal to the pavilion at zero and then in the third over, KL Rahul was sent to the pavilion at the score of 1. Washington Sundar remained at one end, but no one could support him at the other end. Dhruv Jurel was out after scoring 13 runs, Rishabh Pant was out after scoring 2 runs. India got the fifth blow in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, when the score was 64 runs.

Washington Sundar’s struggle also ended in the 31st over, he was dismissed by Aiden Markram. Sundar scored 31 runs, which was the highest score of this innings. Akshar Patel played a fast innings in the end, but while attempting the same, he was caught out. He scored 26 runs in 17 balls.

India vs South Africa first test is being played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Team India got the target of only 124 runs to win, but while chasing it, it got off to a very bad start. Yashasvi Jaiswal was out on zero and KL Rahul was out on the score of 1 run. When India’s fourth wicket fell at the score of 38, even this small target started looking like a mountain. Do you know what is the smallest target in Test cricket, while chasing which Team India lost?

Lowest score defended in test against India

The team that won by defending the least runs in Test cricket is Australia, when they bowled out England for 77 runs. In this match, England had to score only 85 runs to win, although this match was played many years ago in 1882.

The winning team against India by defending the lowest score is West Indies. The Caribbean team had all out India for 81 runs in 1997, the target in this match was 120 runs. Team India lost this match by 38 runs.

Sachin Tendulkar was the captain in that match played on March 27-31, 1997, who scored only 4 runs in the second innings. VVS Laxman was the only one who had crossed the double digit mark. Laxman had scored 19 runs, while Sourav Ganguly (8), Mohammad Azharuddin (9), Rahul Dravid (2), Navjot Singh Sidhu (3) were out cheaply.

Team India stuck in Kolkata test also

India vs South Africa In the first test, South Africa had scored 159 runs in the first innings, Team India took a lead of 30 runs in the first innings and scored 189 runs. South Africa’s second innings was reduced to 153 runs, after which India got a target of only 124 to win. However, the pitch at Eden Gardens is not helping the batsmen much. Questions are also being raised regarding a more spin friendly pitch.

BCCI issued an official statement on Shubman Gill’s injury and said that he is in the hospital. Gill has been ruled out of the first Test being played at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, now Rishabh Pant is taking over the captaincy in his place. Let us tell you that Gill felt neck pain while batting on the second day of the Test, after which he retired hurt and walked out of the field.

BCCI’s official statement on Shubman Gill’s injury

BCCI said in its statement, “On the second day of the ongoing Test match against South Africa in Kolkata, captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury. After the end of the day’s play, he was taken to the hospital for examination. Currently he is in the hospital. He has been ruled out of the first Test. The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor him.”

Update

Captain Shubman Gill had a neck injury on Day 2 of the ongoing Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of the day’s play.

He is currently under observation in the hospital. He will take no further part in the… pic.twitter.com/o7ozaIECLq

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 16, 2025

Team India in strong position

In the Kolkata Test, Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. South Africa was reduced to 159 runs in the first innings, Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets in the first innings. Although Team India could get a lead of only 30 runs in the first innings, the team was all out for 189 runs. KL Rahul (39) scored the most runs for India in the first innings. Simon Harmer had taken 4 wickets.

On the second day, Ravindra Jadeja bowled brilliantly and took 4 wickets in the second innings of South Africa. By the end of the second day’s play, South Africa had scored 93 runs, but lost 7 wickets. It remains to be seen how much target South Africa gives to India, as per the situation till now, Team India has the upper hand.

Today is the third day of the first Test between India vs South Africa to be played at Eden Gardens. Team India is close to victory. Shubman Gill was injured on the second day, today Rishabh Pant will take over the captaincy in his place. If South Africa loses, it will be the first time in history that South Africa will lose a Test under Bavuma’s captaincy.

What happened the first two days (in brief)

South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. Team India’s batting also came on the very first day, South Africa was all out for 159 runs in the third session. Aidan Markram had scored 31 runs, which was the highest score of the visiting team’s innings. Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets in the first innings, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj took 2-2 wickets. 1 wicket remained in the name of Akshar.

Team India gained a lead of only 30 runs on the basis of first innings and was all out for 189 runs on the second day of the Test. KL Rahul (39) scored the most runs for India in the first innings. Simon Harmer took 4 wickets and Marco Yanson took 3 wickets. Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch had 1 wicket each. However, only 9 wickets fell for Team India, because due to neck pain, captain Shubman Gill retired and left the field hurt. He had to be taken to the hospital, even today perhaps Rishabh Pant will take charge.

By the end of the second day’s play, South Africa lost 7 wickets for 93 runs in the second innings. The visiting team currently has a lead of only 63 runs and only 3 wickets are left. On the second day, in the second innings of South Africa, Ravindra Jadeja took 4 wickets and Kuldeep Yadav took 2 wickets, one success went to Akshar Patel. Today, on the third day, South Africa team will extend its innings from 93/7.

India’s playing 11: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa’s playing 11: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony De Jorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verne (wk), Simon Harmer, Marco Janson, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.

By the end of the second day’s play in the Kolkata Test, South Africa had scored 93 runs at the loss of 7 wickets. Africa still has a lead of only 63 runs in the second innings. Captain Temba Bavuma is standing at the crease like a strong wall, who is playing after scoring 29 runs. A total of 15 wickets fell on the second day, probably the result of this match will come on the third day i.e. tomorrow. Ravindra Jadeja is wreaking havoc with his spin in the second innings.

On the second day, the Indian team progressed its first innings at 37/1. KL Rahul was out after scoring 39 runs and Washington Sundar was out after scoring 29 runs. Rishabh Pant got the start, but he could not take his innings forward by 27 runs. Ravindra Jadeja also contributed 27 runs.

Shubman Gill retired out

In the first innings of the Indian team, captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck strain while playing a sweep shot. Gill retired after scoring 4 runs in just 3 balls. BCCI issued a statement saying that Gill is currently under the supervision of the medical team and the next decision will be taken only after considering his health. Akshar Patel scored 16 runs and Dhruv Jurel scored 14 runs.

Jadeja-Kuldeep tightened the screws

In the second innings, the spin of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav devastated the South African batting line-up. A total of 7 wickets fell for South Africa in the second innings, all of which were taken by the Indian spin bowlers. So far Ravindra Jadeja has taken 4 wickets, Kuldeep Yadav 2 and Akshar Patel has also taken one wicket.

A total of 15 wickets fell on the second day in the Kolkata Test. Team India lost 8 wickets on the second day, meanwhile captain Gill was retired. On the same day, the South African team has lost 7 wickets in its second innings.

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Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram had a good start, making a partnership of 57 runs for the first wicket. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both the openers, after which South Africa’s innings could not recover. In the first session, South Africa had scored 105 runs by losing 3 wickets, in the second session the visiting team lost 5 wickets and scored only 49 runs, in the third over of the third session South Africa was all out for 159 runs.

Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets, Mohammad Siraj took 2 wickets in a single over. Kuldeep Yadav also got 2 wickets, Akshar Patel got 1 wicket.

India’s innings started in the third session, the first wicket in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal fell in the 7th over. Marco Janson bowled Jaiswal (12). India’s second wicket did not fall till the end of the first day’s play, KL Rahul was playing with 13 runs and Washington Sundar was playing with 6 runs. Team India was 122 runs behind. Today (15 November) is the second day of Kolkata Test.

India’s playing 11: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa’s playing 11: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony De Jorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verne (wk), Simon Harmer, Marco Janson, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.

By the end of the first day’s play in the Kolkata Test, India had scored 37 runs at the loss of one wicket. KL Rahul and Washington Sundar have taken command of Team India. The team management took a surprising decision and fielded Sundar at number 3, who has batted in a composed manner till now. His partnership with Rahul has reached 19 runs. Let us tell you that the first innings of the South African team was limited to 159 runs. India is still behind by 122 runs in the first innings.

South Africa restricted to 159 runs

Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton gave a steady start to the South African team with a partnership of 57 runs. But after this, other batsmen including captain Temba Bavuma and Tony D’Jorji proved to be unsuccessful. At one time South Africa had scored 114 runs with the loss of 3 wickets, but within the next 29 runs, Africa lost its remaining 7 wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets

Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets for just 27 runs in 14 overs in the innings. This was the 16th five-wicket haul of Bumrah’s Test career. He dismissed Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton, Tony De Jorji, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj. Apart from him, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj took two wickets each in the innings. Akshar Patel also dismissed a batsman.

By the end of the first day’s play, KL Rahul scored 13 runs in 59 balls and Washington Sundar, who came to bat at third position, scored 6 runs in 38 balls. It was shocking that Sai Sudarshan, who played at number 3, was not given a chance in this match.

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In the first innings of the Kolkata Test, the South African team was all out on the score of 159 runs. Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets for the Indian team. This is South Africa’s lowest score in the first innings at the Eden Gardens ground. Earlier, the lowest score of the South African team in the first innings at Eden Gardens was 222 runs. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj also took two wickets each for Team India.

Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton made an opening partnership of 57 runs, giving a steady start to South Africa. After that the fall of the wicket started. Markram was out after scoring 31 runs and Rickleton was out after scoring 23 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma walked out after scoring only 3 runs. Tony De Jorzi also got the start, but his innings ended at 24 runs in 55 balls.

Lowest score in Eden Gardens

This is the third lowest score made by a foreign team in the first innings at Eden Gardens. Here, the lowest score by a foreign team in the first innings is in the name of Bangladesh, which was all out for just 106 runs in the year 2019. The second lowest score is in the name of West Indies, which was limited to 153 runs in the year 2011. Now with a score of 159 runs, South Africa has come to third place in this list.

Jasprit Bumrah’s paw

Jasprit Bumrah bowled 14 overs in this innings, in which he took 5 wickets while giving only 27 runs. He also bowled 5 maiden overs during this period. This was the 16th 5-wicket haul of Bumrah’s career. After Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian bowler to take 5 wickets on the first day of a Test match. Ishant had achieved this feat against Bangladesh in 2019 on the same ground. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj took two wickets each, while Akshar Patel also managed to take one wicket.