Jasprit Bumrah Destroys South Africa With 5/27, Leaves Eden Gardens Erupting
Bumrah’s 5/27 wrecks South Africa on Day 1, thrilling Eden Gardens and stunning Dale Steyn.
Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass in seam bowling on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens on November 14, 2025, claiming his 16th five-wicket haul with figures of 5/27 to bundle out the Proteas for a meagre 159 in 55 overs. Returning for a third spell after lunch, the 32-year-old spearhead dismantled the middle order with lethal accuracy, trapping Aiden Markram lbw for 31, bowling Ryan Rickelton for 23, and sealing the innings with a scorching yorker to castle Keshav Maharaj for a duck, while also dismissing Tony de Zorzi and Simon Harmer.
His spell, marked by pinpoint lengths on a two-paced pitch offering variable bounce and seam movement, echoed his iconic performances and drew a roaring ovation from over 35,000 fans, who stood in unison to applaud the pacer's return to the historic venue after a six-year gap. This haul not only propelled India to a dominant position but also highlighted Bumrah's evolution as the fulcrum of the attack, especially in the absence of Mohammed Shami.
South African captain Temba Bavuma's decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired spectacularly, as the visitors slumped from 57/0 to 120/5 in the middle session, with only Wiaan Mulder (28) and Markram offering resistance amid a collapse triggered by Bumrah's precision. Mohammed Siraj supported with 2/32, including the early scalp of opener Neil Brand, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with 2/40 to exploit the turn, but it was Bumrah's third five-for of 2025 that stole the show, elevating his season tally to 28 wickets from seven matches.
The Eden Gardens surface, greener than anticipated under overcast skies, rewarded disciplined bowling, reminiscent of classic subcontinental openers where pacers thrive before spin takes over. In reply, India reached stumps at 37/1 in 20 overs, trailing by 122, after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to Marco Jansen's extra bounce for 12; KL Rahul (8*) and Washington Sundar (6*) saw off the new ball cautiously, setting the stage for a potential takeover on Day 2.
Bumrah's brilliance left South African pace legend Dale Steyn, commentating on JioStar's Cricket Live, in awe, declaring that "the name Jasprit Bumrah itself carries a threat" that instills panic in opposition dressing rooms worldwide. Steyn, who last achieved a Day 1 five-for in India during the 2008 Ahmedabad Test, praised Bumrah's unrelenting accuracy: "He's not giving anything away, yet he's still picking up wickets. That's his mastery... His name gets him wickets, not just the areas he lands the ball in."
The 42-year-old icon further noted how Bumrah's reputation allows teammates like Siraj to capitalise, adding psychological pressure that turns routine spells into wicket-taking opportunities. This endorsement from Steyn, a benchmark for fast bowling excellence with 439 Test wickets, underscores Bumrah's global stature, equalling Bhagwat Chandrasekhar's 16 five-fors for India—now fifth all-time behind Ravichandran Ashwin (37), Anil Kumble (35), Harbhajan Singh (25), and Kapil Dev (23)—in just 51 Tests at an average of 19.52.
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As the two-match Freedom Trophy series unfolds—crucial for World Test Championship points, with India third at 61.9% and South Africa aiming to defend their recent title—Bumrah's haul revives a storied rivalry last contested in 2021-22, where India whitewashed the Proteas at home. With Rishabh Pant's return adding dynamism and a spin-heavy lineup featuring Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja poised to dominate later, Gill's side eyes a series win to bolster their campaign. Steyn's verdict positions Bumrah not merely as a generational talent but as a transformative force, whose "blueprint" for success on tricky pitches could redefine pace bowling in Asia for years to come.
