However, South Africa soon retook control, with Simon Harmer leading the charge by picking up three crucial wickets. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja tried to steady the innings, but India managed to build only a slender lead of 30 runs as the hosts were bowled out for 189. The hosts also weren’t helped by the fact that their skipper Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury and had to leave the field three balls into his innings, and played no further role in the Test.
India’s spinners, led by Ravindra Jadeja (4/50), reduced South Africa to 93/7 at the end of Day 2, but a fighting fifty from Temba Bavuma (55*) helped the tourists set a target of 124. Simon Harmer (4/21) was the pick of South Africa bowlers, while Marco Jansen (2/15) and Keshav Maharaj (2/37) chipped in with crucial wickets in this close win.
This was Proteas’ 10th win in their last 11 Tests as the reigning World Test Champions keep their good form going.
The series now moves to Guwahati, where the second Test begins on 22 November. This will be the deciding fixture, and South Africa will look to secure their first series win in the country since 2000 and further improve their standing in the World Test Championship 2025-27.
