In one of the most dramatic Test match turnarounds in recent years, South Africa animal India He opened up a 30-run win in the opening Test at the Eden Gardens, ending a 15-year winning streak waiting to win a Test on Indian soil. The competition is over three days long, but it was the proteas who made a statement when it mattered most, delivering an electrified performance to the home crowd and the world’s southpaw.
Temba Bavuma’s grutty resistance turns the match on its head
South Africa’s victory looked elusive for large parts of the match. After electing to bat first, the visitors were put together for just 159 on day 1, allowing India to take early control. However, the leading Share Bowlers Simon’s appearanceA vulnerable comeback performance as India were restricted to 189, only a slender 30-run lead was secured despite favorable batting conditions.
The second innings got off to a disastrous start for South Africa as they stumbled to 93/7 by the stumps on Day 2. But the captain Temba Bavuma had other ideas. On a pitch that offered sharp turn and uneven bounce, the South African skipper produced a masterclass in patience, footwork and impact. His batting fifty – fittingly the only half-century scored by any batsman in the match – proved to be the innings that completely changed the storyline.
Bavuma adds a crucial 60 to 153 on the third morning to push South Africa to 153.
Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer crushing India with ruthless precision
124, chasing India, a calm, disciplined approach is needed. Instead, South Africa’s spinners missed the opportunity. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer bent with ruthless precision, exploiting every ounce of help from the pitch. India lost wickets in clusters and the pressure quickly mounted as it dried up quickly.
Although Akhar PatelIndia remained on the brink, including a brief reverse of boundaries – a flap of boundaries and a flap of two towers from Maharaj – India. His intention to attack, fainting, faint hopes rise, but Bavuma’s faith in Maharaj immediately paid off.
Akhar Mishit completes a herring and a sharp catch at midwicket to Bavuma. Next delivery, Muhammad Siraj He went out for a slide, bringing a dramatic end to the contest. India were bowled out for just 93, collapsing under the brilliance of South Africa’s spin duo and mounting scoreboard pressure.
Read: Ind VS SA: Ravindra Jadeja equals Kapil Dev’s monumental record on day 2 of first test
Here is the reaction of the fans:
Crazy good win! A good protease👏👏👏i’M did not speak
– abdevilliers (@ abdevilliers17) November 16, 2025
Big result for SA.
Big game and well played for the proteas.
– Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 16, 2025
Well deserved by South Africa. And the wounds of the New Zealand series return. Batting in these conditions is now a problem.
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogharsha) November 16, 2025
A famous win at Eden Gardens, World Test Champions, South Africa. Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten fifty-five hundred was worth it.
– Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) November 16, 2025
– from context cricket (@gemsofcricket) November 16, 2025
One of the best wins for South Africa in India
– Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 16, 2025
South Africa goes 1-0 in the series ⚡⚡#Cricket #Indvssa #Southafrica pic.twitter.com/Ml1feiobgb
– CricketTimes.com (@crickettimeshq) November 16, 2025
Match summary #Indvsa pic.twitter.com/kpxvs4pi82
– Wasim Jaffer (@Wasimjaffer14) November 16, 2025
A wise man once said:
“Coach Gautam Gambhir to end legacy of Indian Cricket team.”#Indvsa pic.twitter.com/u1hip1r2po
– ICC Asia Cricket (@iccasiatricket) November 16, 2025
New Zealand again. #Indvsa
– Boria Majumdar (@BoriAmajumdar) November 16, 2025
I just witnessed what I saw !!!! What a comeback and performance from the bowlers !!!! They just never gave up!!!! This is beautiful 😭🇿🇦💚#Crickettwitter #Indvsa
– Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@lourrencencawa) November 16, 2025
Bavuma gets the last laugh
What a game and a captain’s knock.
Give the man time#Indvsapic.twitter.com/yfj8vxh2eg
– Ash (@ashsay_) November 16, 2025
This schedule was decided a long time ago but India V SA must be a thousand 3 test series. This South African side is class and the world deserves to see more. #Indvsa
— Alison Mitchell (@alisonmitchell) November 16, 2025
South Africa win by 30 runs 😁😂#Indvsa
– Waqas (@iam_waqas) November 16, 2025
A fantastic result for cricket. India need to end this absurd pitch doctoring obsession and get themselves back to playing only good test match cricket. Always one of the great backs. #Indvsa
– Adam Voigt (@adam_voigt) November 16, 2025
Great fight by the bowlers.
Solved by Bavuma !!!!#Indvsa https://t.co/nlxmewass4
– Sgegede (@dlnhlapo) November 16, 2025
He proves to be a truly disgraceful coach. @Gautamgambhir #Indvsa
– Swaraj Wankhede 🇮🇳 (@crickyswaraj) November 16, 2025
This loss continues #Gambhir and #agarkar. Gambhir continues to avoid criticism simply because the team has found ways to win across formats. #indvsa
– Sarvadnya Pawar 🇮🇳 (@srvdnya_cricket) November 16, 2025
55 If not, Temba Bavuma is man of the match. A great captain, an incredible win!#Indvsa
– Nolan Lucano d’Souza (@nolandsouza) November 16, 2025
🚨 South Africa Stun India at Eden! 🇿🇦🔥
◾ South Africa win the test by 30 runs – a famous comeback!
◾ Bowed to 159 on Day 1, still around the match 💥
◾ India closed for 93 in 2nd innings 😳 #Indvsa #Testcricket pic.twitter.com/yf5203n2hg– Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) November 16, 2025
This defeat is not on Gautam Gambhir but on our batsmen like CHAISWAL, Rahul and Shalwar.
It also shows that a batsman is Shubman Gill which is the new test side.
Fun and embarrassing. Well played by Bavuma and South Africa.#Indvsa
– reverse sweep (@trspodcastt) November 16, 2025
This is only the second time India have scored below 100 in the fourth innings of a home Test – the first time in 48 years#Indvssa #Indvsa pic.twitter.com/p7smmrqlv1
– MHD Ali Shihab (@muhmdali_shihab) November 16, 2025
As captain of TMA Bavma SA
11 – Matches
10 – won
01 – weigh#Indvsa #Indvssa #Testcricket– Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh) November 16, 2025
Gambhir should be treated with respect from Test coaching. #Indvsa
– Shivansh Vashishtha (@shivansh466) November 16, 2025
South Africa played well. A loan where there is a loan. #Indvsa
-Manni (@chahal321) November 16, 2025
South Africa beat India after 15 years in India. #Indvsa pic.twitter.com/33dkxujvv7
– 𝑨𝒒𝒅𝒍𝒂𝒂𝒋𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏⁵⁶ (@abdullahs_56) November 16, 2025
The legacy of the legend who lost the home Tests continues. Shame. #Indvsa
– Ravi Kalle (@rt_Kalle) November 16, 2025
A terrific win for South Africa #Indvsa
– H. (@haseebafc) November 16, 2025
Same pitch, same result. @ Rishabhpant17 The captain was in a particularly special position with a new batsman and bowler in the rotation. @Sundarwashi5 He was not bowled in the 2nd innings. It will be 2-0 for sure. #Indvssa #Indvsa
– Pratik 🇮🇳 (@imsinghpratik) November 16, 2025
After 15 years @Proteasmencsa It made history
He won the Garden of Eden test #IndianCricket #Indvsa #Crickettwitter https://t.co/hnvtrzenfj pic.twitter.com/ltmmwl4mrf
– Dilbag Shadow 🇮🇳 (@dilbag_koundal) November 16, 2025
This is the worst Test match pitch I have seen in India since 2023. #Indvsa
– Delhi Capitals Fan 🇳🇳🇮🇱 (@pantiterfc) November 16, 2025
After calling him “bauna”, he became humble#Indvsa
– Payal (@foodieforlifexo) November 16, 2025
Any half timer with any gap spin or left arm spin can beat this indian team, losers like this, Simple Spin 😭#Indvsa
– Niraj Lokhand (@niraj_rocks) November 16, 2025
Same old story.seems.SeemsSeems haven’t learned anything from the NZ series they lost 3-0 at home. Now SA beat us at home after 15 years. If there is no flutter for it, the advantage of the road is no longer an advantage.@Bcci @bhogleharsha #Indvssa #Sackgambhir #indvsa
– Siddhartha Sharma (@bryiddhartha) November 16, 2025
He won a statement for champions 🔥#Indvsa
– #75 (@Toptier1140) November 16, 2025
See also: IND VS SA – Mohammad Siraj halves Simon Harmer with a dream delivery on day 3 of first test
