In a dramatic and low-scoring contest at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, South Africa secured an unforgettable victory over India in the first Test, wrapping up the match on day three, Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The Proteas delivered a superb bowling performance to dismantle the Indian batting lineup and defend a modest target. The victory was particularly painful for the host nation, which was chasing a seemingly achievable target of just 124 runs. However, the Indian team crumbled under pressure, being bundled out for a shocking total of 93 runs, handing South Africa a commanding lead in the series.
India's efforts were significantly hampered by the absence of their star player, Shubman Gill, who was ruled out of the Test, further stressing an already fragile batting order.
While the provided news piece mistakenly refers to South Africa as the "reigning World Test champions" (that title currently belongs to Australia), their performance in this match was certainly championship-worthy, showcasing discipline and aggression to exploit the challenging pitch conditions and expose the flaws in the Indian batting unit. The result is a massive wake-up call for India as they head into the remainder of the Test series.
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