South Africa’s stunning victory by 30-runs against India in the first test at Eden Gardens may have ended at tea on just the third day but it was packed with riveting action and compelling drama which will be remembered for many years by those who witnessed it.
It was the Proteas’ first test victory on Indian soil for 15 years and it’s fair to say they were never ahead in the game, never mind favourites to win, until the final hour when offspinner Simon Harmer prayed on the batsmen’s nerves as they crawled towards a modest victory target of just 124 – and were bowled out for just 93.
South Africa secured victory over India after an enthralling Test at Eden Gardens 💪📸#WTC27 #INDvSA 📝: https://t.co/fexthP5RGW pic.twitter.com/Zgm96fRp3Q
— ICC (@ICC) November 16, 2025
Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 55 gave his team a chance having resumed on 93-7 at the start of the day with a lead of just 63.
His eighth wicket partnership of 44 with Corbin Bosch (25) turned out to be crucial although it was the bowlers, led by Simon Harner’s 4-21, which won the game.
A match-winning spell! 💥
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 16, 2025
Simon Harmer delivered an incredible return at Eden Gardens, earning him Player of the Match honours. 🤩🏅
A brilliant display from a world-class spinner! 👏 pic.twitter.com/VgDeabGLDV
“Very exciting, you always want to be a part of those type of games and obviously be on the right side of the result,” said Bavuma afterwards.
“We tried to hold our nerve as much as we could. We knew it was going to be tough with the bat. It was tough for us, but we needed the bowlers to exploit the conditions and the guys did that beautifully. We were able to change our bowlers quite well and, fortunately, things have worked in our favour.
Bavuma acknowledged that his partnership with Bosch had been crucial to a famous victory but also paid tribute to Harmer and the other bowlers for first keeping the tourist in the game after being bowled out for just 159 and then winning it in the fourth innings:
“They were crucial runs but our bowlers kept us in the game. The partnership with Corbin, a little bit with Marco as well. The wicket played a bit better this morning, it wasn't as extreme. We just tried to stay in the game as much as we could. It's not every day that score 120, 125, and you feel that it’s a winning score. It was just a case of staying in the game and to keep believing,” Bavuma said.
Bavuma now has an extraordinary captaincy record of 10 victories from 11 matches but he was quick to divert praise: “You're only as good as your players, really. That record I give to the players.”
Captain x Coach 🤩
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) November 16, 2025
Temba and Shukri have 10 Test wins from their last 11 👏🇿🇦#SSCricket | #INDvSA | #WTC27 pic.twitter.com/REWV7i22Tj
Rishabh Pant, who captained India in place of the injured Shubman Gill, refused to blame the capricious pitch at Eden Gardens for India’s defeat describing it as ‘a little bit difficult’ but ‘not impossible’. He also identified the eighth wicket partnership as a turning point:
“Temba and Bosch, they had a brilliant partnership in the morning and that’s what got them back in the game. And that hurt us too much in the end of the game.
“There was definitely help (for the bowlers) on the wicket. But at the same time, a score like 120 can be tricky on these kinds of surfaces. But at the same time, as a team, we should be able to soak in that pressure and should be able to capitalise on that,” Pant said.
Harmer’s match haul of 8-51 were the best figures by a South African in India and he was understandably unfazed by not claiming a five-for in either innings after claiming 4-30 and 4-21.
“I’m not a stats man, I’m a win man so I’m delighted to walk away with four in each innings and a win for the team. It’s a very, very special achievement to come from behind like that and to achieve something like this,” Harmer said.
The second test starts in Guwahati on Saturday.
