Kolkata: South Africa’s spinners mounted a spirited comeback in the second hour, dragging their team back into the contest as India slipped from a strong position to 138/4 at lunch on day two of the first Test at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Resuming at 37/1, India looked steady thanks to a determined partnership between KL Rahul and Washington Sundar. The pair weathered a testing first hour against Marco Jansen’s pace and Keshav Maharaj’s accuracy, adding 57 for the second wicket with disciplined defence and composure against the occasional turn and bounce.
Defending a modest first-innings 159, South Africa regained control through sustained pressure from Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer, who combined accuracy, turn, and timely breakthroughs to shift momentum their way.
The session turned sharply after the drinks break when Harmer triggered a collapse in the 35th over. He first dismissed Sundar for 29 (82 balls) with a classic off-spinner’s delivery that drifted in and turned away to find the edge, taken by Aiden Markram at slip.
Three balls later, Shubman Gill retired hurt on four after a slog-swept boundary, appearing to suffer a whiplash injury and leaving the field clutching his neck. An update from the BCCI is awaited.
Maharaj, in the middle of a marathon 16-over spell, then removed Rahul just as he looked to accelerate. Rahul, who crossed 4000 Test runs earlier in the session, was out for 39 (119 balls), edging a low, turning delivery to Markram. The third umpire upheld the catch.
India briefly regained momentum through Rishabh Pant’s counterattack — a brisk 27 off 24 balls featuring two fours, two sixes, and inventive strokeplay — before debutant pacer Corbin Bosch struck with a sharp bouncer to dismiss him moments before lunch.
India went into the break at 138/4, effectively five down with Gill’s return uncertain. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja reached 4000 Test runs, becoming only the fifth cricketer in Test history to achieve the double of 4000 runs and 300 wickets.
