South Africa shocked India by 30 runs within the opening Take a look at at Eden Gardens on Sunday, securing their first win on Indian soil in 15 years and reigniting uncomfortable questions concerning the hosts’ batting towards high quality spin on house tracks. Chasing 124, India folded for 93 in simply 35 overs, by no means discovering the strategy or composure that South African skipper Temba Bavuma had displayed earlier within the day.India have been successfully a batter brief, with captain Shubman Gill unavailable after being hospitalised with a neck harm sustained on day two. On a floor anticipated to favour Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, it was Simon Harmer who made the decisive affect, ending with a match haul of eight wickets.“There have been no demons on this wicket. It wasn’t unplayable. If we hold speaking concerning the wicket, the vast majority of the wickets have been by the seamers. This was a pitch the place your approach, psychological toughness and temperament have been examined,” head coach Gautam Gambhir advised reporters within the post-match press convention, firmly rejecting criticism of the pitch.“That is precisely the pitch we needed, however should you do not play nicely, then it will occur. I believe 124 was a chaseable goal.” Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant admitted India succumbed to strain. “We must always have chased this down. The strain saved on constructing within the second innings,” he mentioned.Washington Sundar (31 off 92) and Jadeja (18 off 26) briefly revived hopes with calm, soft-handed cricket, however Harmer trapped Jadeja and Aiden Markram eliminated Sundar quickly after. Dhruv Jurel confirmed early maturity earlier than an ill-judged pull undid him, whereas Pant’s tentative 2 off 13 resulted in a easy return catch.Axar Patel’s 26 off 17 offered a fleeting roar, however with solely Bumrah left, dangers outweighed reward and Maharaj struck twice in two balls to seal the consequence.Earlier, Bavuma’s gritty 55 not out and Corbin Bosch’s brisk 25 dragged South Africa to 153, stretching the lead previous 100. Marco Jansen then rattled India with strikes on Jaiswal and Rahul earlier than lunch. Although Siraj and Jadeja wrapped up the innings effectively, India’s batters faltered the place Bavuma flourished.The defeat was India’s fourth of their final six house Checks, one other reminder that their spin blueprint is starting to betray them.