The Battle at Eden Gardens — India national cricket team vs South Africa national cricket team, 1st Test 2025

Setting the Scene

When South Africa arrived in India for the two-match Test series in November 2025, the opening fixture at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata promised to be a classic. The hosts, India, were keen to stamp authority at home. The visitors, meanwhile, wanted to show they belonged—on Indian soil, in Indian conditions.

Pre-match expectations were high: the pitch at Eden had been described by curator Sujan Mukherjee as a “sporting wicket with help for both batters and bowlers” and possibly some turn for spinners.  Clear weather was predicted, so natural play was expected throughout. 

Day 1 – India Set the Tone

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. To say things didn’t go according to plan would be an understatement. The visitors began strongly, with openers putting on 57 for no loss in the first 10 overs. 

Then came the brilliance of India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah — he ripped through the South African batting line-up and finished with 5 for 27 in 14 overs.  South Africa were dismissed for just 159. 

India’s reply was steady if unspectacular: they posted 189 in their first innings—thus a lead of just 30 runs. Not exactly the big notch one would hope for, given the early bowling success. 

Adding to India’s woes: their skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt early in the innings and did not bat again in the first innings. 

Day 2 – South Africa Fight Back

On Day 2 the match clearly tilted. South Africa, following on the lead of 30, began their second innings and made some early inroads. Impressively, their skipper Temba Bavuma began showing defiance. At the same time India’s bowling lost some sting. In fact, the score was 93/7 for South Africa later in their second innings. 

Meanwhile, India’s batting order had delivered in first innings, but the narrow lead meant everything was still in the balance. The wicket — slow, turning at times — made chasing look more difficult than one might originally expect.

Day 3 – A Dramatic Finish

The match concluded inside three days, which is unusual in Test cricket especially between two strong sides. South Africa defended a modest target of 124 in the fourth innings by bowling India out for 93. 

In doing so:

• India were bowled out under 100 while chasing at home for the first time ever.
  
• South Africa achieved their first Test win in India since 2010.
• Spinner Simon Harmer of South Africa picked up eight wickets in the match, the best bowling figures by a Proteas spinner on Indian soil.
  

Why It Matters

For India

• The defeat at home will hurt. Losing a Test at Eden Gardens (which has been a fortress) highlights vulnerabilities—especially in the batting line-up and handling pressure situations.
• Their fourth-innings batting meltdown signals that chasing even “small” targets can be tricky in sub-continental conditions when things go wrong.
• The injury to Gill, and maybe selection/back-up depth, becomes a talking point.

For South Africa

• The victory is a statement. It cements their credentials, especially as reigning world Test champions.
  
• They were bold in conditions not typically their strength, batted and bowled well, showing the kind of adaptability required on foreign tours.
• The win lifts their morale and positioning in the ongoing Test championship table.

Key Takeaways

• Bowling wins constant contests: India bowled South Africa out cheaply on Day 1 thanks to Bumrah and support bowlers.
• Pitch and conditions were tricky: Even though the wicket was pitched as “sporting”, the slow turn, uneven bounce, and psychological pressure of chasing made it difficult.
  
• Chasing is not simple: India’s fourth-innings collapse shows that small targets do not guarantee victory—especially when momentum is with the bowlers.
• Match can turn on little moments: The Bavuma-Bosch partnership for South Africa, the injury to Gill, seeing Harmer’s spin exploit conditions—they all matter in turning the tide.

What to Watch in the Rest of the Series

With India down 0-1 in the two-match series, the pressure is now on them to respond. They’ll want to:

• Recover from this shock and batting collapse.
• Dig in with their spin and batting combinations, possibly rethink injection of experience vs youth.
• Ensure durability in the fourth innings if they chase.

For South Africa, the aim will be to keep their momentum, spin a web around India’s batting and perhaps dominate in India—something not many visiting teams accomplish.

Final Thoughts

The first Test between India and South Africa in 2025 ended with a result not many expected: a home defeat for India by 30 runs. It was a match that had drama, brilliant bowling, a few surprise collapses, and showcased the fine margins of Test cricket.

If you’re a cricket fan, this match will be remembered for the stinginess of South African bowling, the boldness of their batting under pressure and India’s uncharacteristic failure to chase a modest target in front of their home crowd.

Setting the Scene

When South Africa arrived in India for the two-match Test series in November 2025, the opening fixture at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata promised to be a classic. The hosts, India, were keen to stamp authority at home. The visitors, meanwhile, wanted to show they belonged—on Indian soil, in Indian conditions.

Pre-match expectations were high: the pitch at Eden had been described by curator Sujan Mukherjee as a “sporting wicket with help for both batters and bowlers” and possibly some turn for spinners.  Clear weather was predicted, so natural play was expected throughout. 

Day 1 – India Set the Tone

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. To say things didn’t go according to plan would be an understatement. The visitors began strongly, with openers putting on 57 for no loss in the first 10 overs. 

Then came the brilliance of India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah — he ripped through the South African batting line-up and finished with 5 for 27 in 14 overs.  South Africa were dismissed for just 159. 

India’s reply was steady if unspectacular: they posted 189 in their first innings—thus a lead of just 30 runs. Not exactly the big notch one would hope for, given the early bowling success. 

Adding to India’s woes: their skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt early in the innings and did not bat again in the first innings. 

Day 2 – South Africa Fight Back

On Day 2 the match clearly tilted. South Africa, following on the lead of 30, began their second innings and made some early inroads. Impressively, their skipper Temba Bavuma began showing defiance. At the same time India’s bowling lost some sting. In fact, the score was 93/7 for South Africa later in their second innings. 

Meanwhile, India’s batting order had delivered in first innings, but the narrow lead meant everything was still in the balance. The wicket — slow, turning at times — made chasing look more difficult than one might originally expect.

Day 3 – A Dramatic Finish

The match concluded inside three days, which is unusual in Test cricket especially between two strong sides. South Africa defended a modest target of 124 in the fourth innings by bowling India out for 93. 

In doing so:

• India were bowled out under 100 while chasing at home for the first time ever.
  
• South Africa achieved their first Test win in India since 2010.
• Spinner Simon Harmer of South Africa picked up eight wickets in the match, the best bowling figures by a Proteas spinner on Indian soil.
  

Why It Matters

For India

• The defeat at home will hurt. Losing a Test at Eden Gardens (which has been a fortress) highlights vulnerabilities—especially in the batting line-up and handling pressure situations.
• Their fourth-innings batting meltdown signals that chasing even “small” targets can be tricky in sub-continental conditions when things go wrong.
• The injury to Gill, and maybe selection/back-up depth, becomes a talking point.

For South Africa

• The victory is a statement. It cements their credentials, especially as reigning world Test champions.
  
• They were bold in conditions not typically their strength, batted and bowled well, showing the kind of adaptability required on foreign tours.
• The win lifts their morale and positioning in the ongoing Test championship table.

Key Takeaways

• Bowling wins constant contests: India bowled South Africa out cheaply on Day 1 thanks to Bumrah and support bowlers.
• Pitch and conditions were tricky: Even though the wicket was pitched as “sporting”, the slow turn, uneven bounce, and psychological pressure of chasing made it difficult.
  
• Chasing is not simple: India’s fourth-innings collapse shows that small targets do not guarantee victory—especially when momentum is with the bowlers.
• Match can turn on little moments: The Bavuma-Bosch partnership for South Africa, the injury to Gill, seeing Harmer’s spin exploit conditions—they all matter in turning the tide.

What to Watch in the Rest of the Series

With India down 0-1 in the two-match series, the pressure is now on them to respond. They’ll want to:

• Recover from this shock and batting collapse.
• Dig in with their spin and batting combinations, possibly rethink injection of experience vs youth.
• Ensure durability in the fourth innings if they chase.

For South Africa, the aim will be to keep their momentum, spin a web around India’s batting and perhaps dominate in India—something not many visiting teams accomplish.

Final Thoughts

The first Test between India and South Africa in 2025 ended with a result not many expected: a home defeat for India by 30 runs. It was a match that had drama, brilliant bowling, a few surprise collapses, and showcased the fine margins of Test cricket.

If you’re a cricket fan, this match will be remembered for the stinginess of South African bowling, the boldness of their batting under pressure and India’s uncharacteristic failure to chase a modest target in front of their home crowd.