Simon Harmer and Marco Jansen shared seven wickets to orchestrate South Africa’s stunning comeback. They bowled India out for just 189 on day two at Eden Gardens.
The tourists conceded only a 30-run deficit after being dismissed for 159 yesterday. This remarkable turnaround shocked the Kolkata crowd on Saturday afternoon.
India resumed their first innings on 37-1 but struggled against disciplined bowling. The home side crawled to 75-1 before wickets began falling regularly.
Washington Sundar departed first, edging Harmer to Aiden Markram at slip for 29. KL Rahul followed the same dismissal pattern against Keshav Maharaj shortly afterwards.
Captain Shubman Gill suffered an unusual injury after slog-sweeping Harmer for four. He strained his neck whilst playing the aggressive shot and retired hurt.
Rishabh Pant provided typical counter-attacking entertainment with 27 from 24 balls. He struck fours and sixes before Corbin Bosch’s bouncer ended his innings. Pant could only glove the delivery to Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps.
India reached lunch at 138-4 with a substantial lead still appearing likely. However, Harmer and Jansen maintained pressure throughout the afternoon session effectively.
Harmer dismissed Dhruv Jurel with an athletic diving catch off his own bowling. The spinner completed figures of 4-30 with excellent control and variation.
Ravindra Jadeja reached 4,000 Test runs before falling to Harmer’s slider delivery. The left-armer trapped him leg-before-wicket as India’s resistance crumbled gradually.
Jansen finished with 3-53, removing the dangerous tailenders efficiently. He caught Kuldeep Yadav via Verreynne before bowling Mohammad Siraj comprehensively.
Harmer ended India’s innings when Axar Patel sliced a drive to Jansen. The off-spinner’s outstanding performance restricted India to 189 all out.
South Africa lead by 63 runs after finishing day 2 of the test with 93/7.
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