Ravindra Jadeja’s four-wicket burst put India firmly on track for a three-day win after a bruising second day in the low-scoring opening Test against South Africa on Saturday.
India seized control after dismissing South Africa for 159 at Eden Gardens, where unpredictable bounce troubled batters from both teams. But India’s own reply was equally shaky, managing only 189 and falling short of the lead they had hoped for.
South Africa’s second innings offered little resistance. They slumped to 93-7 at stumps, with captain Temba Bavuma holding the innings together on 29 not out, joined by Corbin Bosch on one.
India were effectively a batter short after captain Shubman Gill retired hurt with a neck spasm on four in the first innings.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer (4-30) pulled South Africa back into the contest as India resumed on 37-1. Washington Sundar (29) briefly counter-attacked, striking Keshav Maharaj for six, but was soon caught at slip off Harmer.
Gill managed to open his account with a boundary but immediately walked off clutching his neck.
Returning from a foot injury, Rishabh Pant (27) injected urgency into the innings the moment he arrived. He survived a sharp chance off Maharaj before launching the very next ball over mid-off for six. Maharaj eventually had some reward when he removed KL Rahul (39), although Pant continued to score freely.
Bosch ended Pant’s cameo with a sharp bouncer that he edged behind, a dismissal that offered timely relief for the visitors.
Jadeja made 27, but India’s lack of partnerships proved costly as they were bowled out just before tea.
The left-arm spinner returned to torment South Africa when they came out to bat again. After Kuldeep Yadav removed Ryan Rickelton for 11, Jadeja (4-29) sliced through the top order with relentless accuracy, leaving the Proteas staring at defeat heading into day three.
