Bavuma Leads South Africa to Rare Test Triumph in India With Grit and Belief

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma hailed his team’s unyielding resilience as the driving force behind their dramatic 30-run victory over India in the first Test at Eden Gardens on Sunday. The Proteas defended a modest target of 124, bundling out the hosts for 93 in just 35 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and end a 15-year drought for a Test win on Indian soil. Bavuma, who anchored the second innings with a gritty unbeaten 55, emphasised that it was “just a case of staying in the game and keeping believing”, crediting vital lower-order partnerships with Marco Jansen (16 runs) and debutant Corbin Bosch (44 runs) for injecting crucial momentum.

 Day 1: South Africa won the toss and elected to bat but were bowled out for 159 in 55 overs, with Aiden Markram (28) and Bavuma (28) top-scoring against a disciplined Indian attack led by Ravindra Jadeja (4-50). India responded strongly, reaching 56/2 by stumps, trailing by 103 runs, with KL Rahul (24*) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (21*) unbeaten after Kagiso Rabada removed both openers.

Day 2: India capitalised on their position, posting 189 all out in 62.2 overs, securing a 30-run first-innings lead. Rahul top-scored with 40, while Simon Harmer claimed 4-30 on debut. South Africa stumbled to 45/5 in their second innings by close, still trailing by 15 runs, with Bavuma (12*) and Jansen (8*) at the crease.

Day 3: The final morning saw South Africa recover to 153 all out, setting India 124 to win. Bavuma’s unbeaten 55, including key stands with Jansen and Bosch, proved decisive. India’s chase collapsed spectacularly to 93 all out, with Harmer (4-21) and Keshav Maharaj (2-37) spinning webs around the batting lineup. Marco Jansen’s early double strike set the tone, and a sharp catch by Bavuma to dismiss Axar Patel sealed the deal.

The turning point came in South Africa’s second innings, where early wickets left them reeling at 45/5. Bavuma steadied the ship with a composed 16-run partnership with Jansen, followed by a match-altering 44-run stand with Bosch, who played with maturity beyond his debut status. “That partnership with Bosch… gave a little bit of impetus,” Bavuma said, noting how it allowed the tail to push the lead beyond reach on a deteriorating pitch that offered sharp turns and variable bounce.

India’s fourth-innings collapse was triggered by disciplined bowling and poor shot selection under pressure. Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant (12) and Jaiswal (11) fell early, with the middle order unable to handle Harmer’s off-spin and Maharaj’s guile. Despite a brief fightback from Washington Sundar (31) and Axar Patel (26), South Africa’s spinners dominated, claiming six wickets between them. Rabada, absent on the final day due to a rib injury, was not missed as the attack operated with precision.Bavuma also praised his spinners, calling Harmer and Maharaj a “formidable partnership” that compensated for Rabada’s absence. Reflecting on his own knock, he expressed satisfaction with adapting to Indian conditions, saying, “I’m just comfortable with myself, with my technique… I understand the little adjustments you need to make.” His leadership and composure under fire have positioned South Africa favourably ahead of the second Test in Pune.

As the series shifts to Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, India faces intense pressure to level the scores without injured captain Shubman Gill, reportedly admitted to ICU with a neck injury. For South Africa, this victory not only boosts their World Test Championship standing but also signals growing mastery in subcontinental conditions. Bavuma’s mantra of belief and persistence now sets the tone for a high-stakes decider, with both teams vying for supremacy in a contest that has already delivered high drama.