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The first Test between South Africa and India was played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14 to November 16, 2025. South Africa won the match by 30 runs after a low-scoring contest that lasted three days.
South Africa were bowled out for 159 in their first innings before India replied with 189. The visitors then scored 153 in their second innings, setting India a target of 124 runs for victory. India were eventually dismissed for 93.
Simon Harmer was the standout performer for South Africa, taking eight wickets in India’s second innings. Temba Bavuma also played an important role with the bat and leadership as South Africa secured a memorable Test victory.
South Africa vs India 1st Test Match Summary
| Match Detail | Information |
| Teams | South Africa vs India |
| Match | 1st Test |
| Series | South Africa Tour of India 2025 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Date | November 14–16, 2025 |
| Toss | South Africa won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | South Africa won by 30 runs |
| Player of the Match | Simon Harmer |
The match was dominated by bowlers, with both teams struggling to produce large totals. South Africa’s second-innings total of 153 proved decisive after India’s first-innings lead of 30 runs.
South Africa 1st Innings Scorecard
South Africa scored 159 runs in their first innings and were bowled out in 55 overs.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Aiden Markram | 31 | 48 | 5 | 1 | 64.58 |
| Ryan Rickelton | 23 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 104.55 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 24 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 47.06 |
| Temba Bavuma | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 27.27 |
| Tony de Zorzi | 24 | 55 | 1 | 1 | 43.64 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 15* | 74 | 1 | 0 | 20.27 |
| Kyle Verreynne | 16 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 44.44 |
| Marco Jansen | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Corbin Bosch | 3 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 13.04 |
| Simon Harmer | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 15 | ||||
| Total | 159 all out | 55 overs |
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s leading bowler in the innings, taking five wickets. Mohammed Siraj claimed two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav also made an important contribution with the ball.
India 1st Innings Scorecard
India responded with 189 runs, giving them a 30-run first-innings lead over South Africa.
The Indian batting effort was built around contributions from the middle and lower order, while South Africa’s bowlers kept the scoring under control.
| Innings | Score |
| India 1st innings | 189 all out |
| Overs | 62.2 |
| South Africa 1st innings | 159 all out |
| India lead | 30 runs |
South Africa’s bowling attack eventually dismissed India for 189, but the hosts’ first-innings lead meant South Africa needed another strong batting effort in the second innings.
South Africa 2nd Innings Scorecard
South Africa were dismissed for 153 in their second innings.
| Innings | Score |
| South Africa 2nd innings | 153 all out |
| Overs | 54 |
| India 1st innings | 189 |
| Target for India | 124 runs |
The second innings was another difficult batting period for both teams. South Africa’s total of 153 gave India a target of 124, but the Indian batting lineup struggled against the South African bowling attack.
Temba Bavuma’s contribution was particularly important in a match where batting was challenging throughout.
India 2nd Innings Scorecard
India needed 124 runs to win but were bowled out for only 93.
| Innings | Score |
| Target | 124 |
| India 2nd innings | 93 all out |
| Result | South Africa won by 30 runs |
India’s chase collapsed despite the relatively modest target. South Africa’s bowlers consistently created pressure, with Simon Harmer producing the decisive spell.
India’s total of 93 was the lowest team score of the match and ended their hopes of completing a successful run chase.
Simon Harmer’s Match-Winning Bowling Performance
Simon Harmer was named Player of the Match after playing a decisive role with the ball.
His most important contribution came in India’s second innings, when he claimed eight wickets for 51 runs. His spell dismantled the Indian batting order and helped South Africa defend a target of only 124.
Harmer’s performance was particularly significant because the match was played on a difficult surface where spin and uneven bounce made batting challenging.
South Africa Bowling Highlights
South Africa’s bowling attack delivered when the match was at its most important stage.
Simon Harmer finished with eight wickets in India’s second innings, while other South African bowlers maintained pressure from the opposite end.
The visitors’ ability to take regular wickets prevented India from building the partnerships required to chase down the target.
India Bowling Highlights
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s leading bowler in South Africa’s first innings.
| Bowler | Wickets in South Africa 1st Innings |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 5 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 2 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 2 |
| Axar Patel | 1 |
Bumrah’s five-wicket haul restricted South Africa to 159 in their opening innings.
India’s bowlers therefore gave their team a strong opportunity to control the Test, but the batting performance in the fourth innings ultimately proved insufficient.
Match Result and Winning Margin
South Africa won the first Test by 30 runs.
The overall scorecard was:
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| South Africa | 159 | 153 |
| India | 189 | 93 |
South Africa’s combined total across both innings was 312 runs, while India scored 282. The 30-run difference matched the final winning margin.
Key Moments of the 1st Test
The match changed direction several times during the three days.
South Africa’s first innings total of 159 initially appeared modest, but India could only establish a 30-run lead after being dismissed for 189.
South Africa then scored 153 in their second innings. Although India required only 124 runs, the South African bowling attack exploited the difficult batting conditions.
India’s dismissal for 93 completed the turnaround and gave South Africa their 30-run victory.
South Africa vs India 1st Test Scorecard at a Glance
| Category | South Africa | India |
| 1st Innings | 159 | 189 |
| 2nd Innings | 153 | 93 |
| Total Runs | 312 | 282 |
| Result | Won by 30 runs | Lost by 30 runs |
| Highest First-Innings Score | 159 | 189 |
| Player of the Match | Simon Harmer | — |
Conclusion
The South Africa National Cricket Team secured a 30-run victory over India in the first Test at Eden Gardens.
South Africa scored 159 and 153 in their two innings, while India made 189 and 93. The match was decided by South Africa’s bowling performance in India’s final innings.
Simon Harmer was the key figure for the visitors, taking eight wickets for 51 runs in the second innings. Jasprit Bumrah had earlier taken five wickets in South Africa’s first innings, but India’s final batting collapse allowed South Africa to complete a memorable Test victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1st Test between South Africa and India?
South Africa won the first Test by 30 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
What was India’s score in the 1st Test?
India scored 189 in their first innings and 93 in their second innings.
What was South Africa’s score in the 1st Test?
South Africa scored 159 in their first innings and 153 in their second innings.
Who was Player of the Match in the South Africa vs India 1st Test?
Simon Harmer was named Player of the Match after his decisive bowling performance, including eight wickets in India’s second innings.
Where was the South Africa vs India 1st Test played?
The first Test was played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India.
