IND vs SA 1st Test Results

9:28 AM IST Ghosts of 2024? Just a year ago, Tom Latham-led New Zealand pulled off a stunning clean sweep against India at home. Now, South Africa are sitting on a 1-0 lead in this two-Test series and eyeing the same historic feat. But the bigger question that hangs over India is their increasing vulnerability to bat against top class spin, at home, which once used to be their strength. India cannot win the series from here, but they will have to work really hard to find the equaliser as Kagiso Rabada is highly likely to be slotted back in the South African side for the second and final Test. Well then, that is a wrap from the City of Joy, which actually brought a lot of joy for the Saffas. The caravan now heads further east, in Guwahati, for the second Test of the Freedom Trophy. The Barsapara Stadium is all set to host its first-ever Test match. It will be played on Saturday, 22nd November, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 9 am IST (3.30 am GMT). But there is plenty of cricket going on elsewhere. Do follow all the live action by switching tabs. But from here, we take your leave, only to meet again. Take care, cheers!

9:28 AM IST The victorious captain of South Africa, Temba Bavuma, is a happy leader and cannot hide his smile as he walks up for a chat. He begins by saying that it is an exciting win for them. Adds that you want to be a part of these types of games and want to be on the right side of the result. Calls it a very tough wicket to bat on, but feels that they were fortunate enough to get a few things in their favor. Appreciates the way their bowlers bowled and also highlights the importance of Corbin Bosch stepping in a partnership with him when it mattered the most. Details that the wicket played a bit better this morning and wasn't as extreme as the first two days. Proudly says that it is not always that you set a target of 120-odd runs and believe you are in the game. About his batting, Temba notes that he is just comfortable with his technique and tries to stand as still as he can at the crease. Admits that he doesn't have a good record in this part of the world and has come here to do well with the bat. Further shares that it was all about the game awareness. Appreciates the way they stepped up in the absence of Kagiso Rabada. Says Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer have bolstered their bowling attack and they have shown that they can handle the pressure well. On the catch of Axar Patel, Bavuma says it wasn't an easy one and it came at a crucial moment as Axar had struck a few sixes just before that. He says, fortunately, Axar made a mistake and he was able to grab it with his small hands.

9:22 AM IST South Africa's magic man with the ball, Simon Harmer, is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his excellent bowling stints. He snagged 4-fer in both innings. He explains that the pitch got flatter as the ball grew softer. Admits that he was in a dark place the last time he was in India with the team, having lost back-to-back Tests. Says that to fight from behind the eight ball shows exactly what this group is about and the belief they carry. There is still another Test to go, he reminds, but he wants the team to enjoy and savour this win because moments like these do not come often. Simon acknowledges that he was a bit lucky with a couple of his wickets, but adds that even good balls do not always bring rewards, and that is just how the game works. Harmer says he bleeds for the team and is more than happy to walk away with a four-fer. He also admits he was confused during the final moments, unaware that Shubman Gill would not be coming out to bat and unsure why Keshav Maharaj was celebrating.

9:21 AM IST After a shaky start to the chase before the Lunch break, India were in search of some stability as the game resumed. Marco Jansen was not on the field for the first few overs, which meant Corbin Bosch operated from one end. He was wayward with his lines, allowing the home side to score freely early in the session. Throughout this Test, there was one particular end from which the bowlers looked far more threatening, and India’s troubles began the moment Simon Harmer was introduced from that end. While Maharaj did not extract as much purchase as Harmer, he managed to keep things quiet, and Harmer reaped the rewards at the other end, including the prized scalp of Rishabh Pant, who had been kept quiet before the off-spinner won the battle against the southpaw.

9:20 AM IST The morning session, coming into the third day, belonged to South Africa in every sense. Starting on 93 for 7 with a 63-run lead, Bavuma delivered a captain's knock, grinding out a gritty half-century with Bosch providing crucial support in a 44-run stand. They milked 55 runs in the first hour, rotating strike smartly while India failed to plug the singles. Bosch fell to Bumrah, and Siraj mopped up the tail to bowl the Proteas out for 153, setting India 124 to win. But Jansen and Harmer had other ideas. With the ball doing everything - darting, leaping, dying - they bowled absolute fire upfront. India, effectively 0 for 1 with Gill ruled out, lost Jaiswal caught behind and Rahul to brutal bounce. Two down and reeling, that 124 suddenly looked like a mountain. South Africa put up a proper fight when it mattered most.

9:19 AM IST Day 1 belonged entirely to India. After opting to bat, the Proteas started brightly with Markram and Rickelton negotiating the tricky opening period, racing to 57 without loss before Bumrah flipped the script. His seven-over opening spell yielded two absolute jaffas that removed both openers, and Kuldeep quickly made it three to leave South Africa reeling at 71/3. De Zorzi and Mulder steadied things briefly, but the second session was a complete disaster as the visitors crumbled under relentless pressure from Bumrah, Kuldeep, and a rejuvenated Siraj, who found reverse swing. The collapse continued into the final session as South Africa were bundled out for 159, with Bumrah claiming his 16th five-wicket haul and Stubbs left stranded. India's reply got off to a shaky start with Jaiswal struggling against the new ball before Jansen removed him, but KL Rahul and Washington Sundar saw off the remaining overs to close the day, trailing by 122 runs on a pitch offering variable bounce and just enough for the bowlers.