India’s first innings in the Kolkata Test against South Africa collapsed for 189 runs, leaving the team with a slender 30-run lead over the visitors’ first innings total of 159. Despite a strong bowling performance on Day 1, highlighted by Jasprit Bumrah’s five wickets, the Indian batting lineup failed to capitalize, falling well below expectations.
Middle Order Meltdown
The Indian middle order crumbled under pressure, with no batsman able to convert a good start into a substantial score. KL Rahul (39), Washington Sundar (29), and Ravindra Jadeja (27) made starts but failed to build innings. Captain Shubman Gill had to retire hurt due to a neck strain, further destabilizing India’s fragile batting order at a crucial stage.
South African Spinners Steal the Show
South Africa’s spinners played a decisive role in India’s batting collapse. Simon Harmer exploited the turning pitch with sharp spin and bounce, dismissing Sundar, Jadeja, and Dhruv Jurel, preventing any meaningful partnerships. Keshav Maharaj also contributed by removing set batsman KL Rahul, keeping India under constant pressure. Pace bowler Corbin Bosch added valuable support, ensuring that the Indian innings never recovered momentum.
India’s Challenge on Home Soil
The very pitch designed to assist India’s spinners has instead exposed vulnerabilities in the batting lineup. If the middle order does not perform in the final innings, India could find itself at risk on home soil. The team will need to approach the last innings with caution and patience to navigate the tricky turners and secure a possible victory, while South Africa’s spinners continue to extract maximum advantage from the surface.
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