Kolkata, (IANS): Fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was at his devastating best to claim figures of 5-27 as India bowled out South Africa for just 159 on day one of the first Test at Eden Gardens on November 14.
South Africa, who won the toss and elected to bat on a two-paced pitch offering variable bounce, looked well placed for a big score at 57/0 in the 11th over. But once Bumrah removed the openers in quick succession, their innings collapsed dramatically.
The visitors lost all ten wickets for just 102 runs, with their middle order unable to withstand the relentless pressure, as Bumrah picked his 16th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Apart from Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Axar Patel had a scalp to his name.
The crowd of around 35,000 spectators roared firmly for Bumrah through his fiery two-over burst after tea. Their anticipation was rewarded as Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul, as South Africa also recorded their second-lowest first-innings score against India and squandered the advantage of winning the toss.
The post-tea session began with Bumrah getting one to jag back in and rattle Simon Harmer’s off-stump. Three balls later, Bumrah produced a searing inswinging yorker to trap Keshav Maharaj lbw for a duck, with Tristan Stubbs left seeing the carnage unfold by being unbeaten on 15.
Bumrah, who had produced a few balls that ranged from climbing sharply to staying a touch low, got India back in the game with his double strike – getting a length ball to beat Rickelton’s outside edge and rattle his off stump. He then produced a rising delivery from short of length that forced Markram to play at it and the shoulder edge of the bat was caught by a diving Rishabh Pant.
South Africa’s progress was further dented when Kuldeep trapped Temba Bavuma with a clever leg-slip ploy, and Dhruv Jurel caught the inside edge to send the Proteas skipper for just three, as South Africa slipped from 57/0 to 71/3. From there, Mulder and de Zorzi, showed grit against the spinners till lunch.
Bumrah wrapped up the innings quickly to pick a memorable five-for, leaving the Kolkata crowd delighted.
Brief scores:
South Africa 159 all out in 55 overs (Aiden Markram 31, Ryan Rickelton 23; Jasprit Bumrah 5-27, Kuldeep Yadav 2-36) lead India 37/1 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 13 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 12; Marco Jansen 1-11) by 122 runs
