Ravindra Jadeja ripped through South Africa’s batting line-up on day two of the first Test at Eden Gardens. He took 4-29 and left the visitors tottering at 93/7 in 35 overs.
South Africa held a 63-run lead but ended the day under severe pressure. Jadeja’s relentless accuracy and turn kept India firmly in the contest.
South Africa had earlier bowled out India for 189, wiping out the hosts’ slender 30-run advantage.
With Shubman Gill absent from the field due to a neck spasm after retiring hurt for four, the visitors sensed an opportunity to claw ahead.
But Jadeja and India’s spin attack quickly tightened the noose, exposing South Africa’s poor shot selection and inability to handle the deteriorating surface.
The pitch continued to offer variable bounce and sharp turns, making batting difficult for both sides.
A target around 125 could still challenge India, but South Africa must first stretch their lead significantly-no easy task on this unpredictable wicket.
The collapse began in the final session. Aiden Markram attempted a sweep off Jadeja but top-edged the ball straight to Dhruv Jurel at short leg.
In Jadeja’s 17th over, Wiaan Mulder pushed at a turning ball and edged to stand-in captain Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.
Two balls later, Tony de Zorzi fell to a delivery that bounced, brushed his glove, and lobbed to Jurel again.
Temba Bavuma tried to counterattack with boundaries, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
Jadeja sent one straight on to beat Tristan Stubbs’ outside edge and hit off-stump.
Kyle Verreynne then played an ill-judged slog sweep that Axar Patel punished by knocking back his middle stump.
Bavuma stayed unbeaten on 29, but South Africa suffered another blow late in the day.
Marco Jansen attempted a slog sweep off Kuldeep Yadav, only to edge the ball to KL Rahul at slip, who held the catch on the second attempt.
As the match heads into day three, the game remains delicately poised. India needs quick wickets; South Africa needs crucial runs.
A topsy-turvy Test could well finish on the third day.
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