Spin carnage in Kolkata as Jadeja and Kuldeep destroy South Africa in a dramatic low-scoring Test
Kolkata/IBNS: Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav ripped apart the South African batting line-up on a spin-friendly wicket, which is threatening the first Test to not go beyond three days at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The chatter over Team India management and pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee rewinded as the scorecard looks miserable for South Africa as the World Test Champions were reduced to 93-7 at stumps on day two after a low total in the first innings on Friday.
Jadeja, Kuldeep and Axar Patel picked four, two and one wicket respectively as the spin department reaped the maximum benefit of a pitch, which has been described as "awful" by England cricket legend Michael Vaughan.
South African skipper Temba Bavuma (29 off 78 balls) was the lone warrior for the Proteas as he along with Corbin Bosch (1) were unbeaten when the umpires called it a day on a soothing, cold winter evening.
Earlier in the day, India circumvent Simon Harmer's fierce bowling that earned him four wickets to take a slender lead of 30 runs in the first innings as the hosts were bowled out for 189 in a lack-lustre batting display at the iconic stadium, which were empty in patches even on the weekend.
India suffered a body blow on Saturday when their captain Shubman Gill left the field only three balls into his innings of four runs when he caught a neck spasm within seconds after sweeping a ball to boundary.
The pitch at the Eden Gardens had grabbed the headlines ahead of the Tests as media reports had claimed Team India management comprising head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Gill had a 15-minute meeting with the curator.
However, curator Mukherjee said Gambhir had asked for "some turn and carry", CNN News 18 reported.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles

Samson stars as India knock out West Indies to reach T20 World Cup semi-finals
Kolkata/IBNS: Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 powered India to a thrilling five-wicket victory over West Indies in a virtual quarter-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens on Sunday, sealing their place in the semi-finals.

Heartbreak for Rinku Singh! Father passes away amid T20 World Cup; condolences pour in
Noida/IBNS: Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is mourning the loss of his father, Khanchand Singh, who passed away on Friday after a battle with advanced-stage liver cancer, media reports said.

India crush Zimbabwe by 72 runs to stay alive in T20 World Cup semifinal race
Chennai/IBNS: India bounced back in emphatic fashion from their crushing defeat to South Africa, hammering Zimbabwe by 72 runs in a must-win Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday.

T20 World Cup 2026: India’s semi-final dream on the line — scenarios that could keep them alive
Ahmedabad/IBNS: India’s campaign in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 has hit a major setback following a heavy defeat against South Africa and West Indies’ massive win over Zimbabwe.
Latest News

Defiant silence: Iran women’s team refuses anthem days after Khamenei’s death

‘Enjoy in full volume’: Ram Charan ignites ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ from Peddi

Not an endless war, says Netanyahu during live TV appearance after Iran claims attacking his office

Madras HC restrains illegal broadcast of ‘The Kerala Story 2’; Kerala HC earlier cleared release

