In an astonishing show of fast-bowling dominance, India dismissed South Africa for a measly 159 on the first day of the 2025 Freedom Trophy at Eden Gardens. Marshalled by an irrepressible Jasprit Bumrah (5-33), and with key contributions from Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, the home side turned a pitch with green tinge into a resting place for South Africa’s batting aspirations. By stumps, India were at 45/1, only 114 runs behind with nine wickets in hand.
The Bumrah Spell That Ruined South Africa’s Backbone 10.3 – 54.6 overs: 5 for 33 in 17 overs
Jasprit Bumrah delivered one of the most remarkable Test spells of modern times, moving the ball in both directions at quite an intense speed and with remarkable precision. After trapping Ryan Rickelton with a 140.7 kph beauty that nipped just enough away to beat the outside edge and clip off-stump, he began the destruction of South Africa’s top-middle order. Three overs later, Aiden Markram suffered the ignominy of being beaten by extra bounce, gloveing a short-of-length delivery to Rishabh Pant.
After the lunch break, Bumrah returned more deadly than before. Tony de Zorzi was dead in front from a brutal inswinging yorker that giftedly kept low, while Wiaan Mulder and then the tail were done under immense pressure. The coup de grace arrived in the 54th over: two wickets in four balls. First Simon Harmer was bowled through the gate with another inswinger that refused to rise and three balls later Keshav Maharaj was pinned plumb with a toe-crunching yorker. Five wickets taken with each dismissal being collector’s items – vintage Bumrah at its best.
Mohammed Siraj’s Fiery Passage: 3-39
Following an erratic beginning, Mohammed Siraj ran into form during the middle session, where he routed the lower middle-order. Kyle Verreynne lost his middle stump, as he was late on a sharp nip-backer after correctly burning a review. A few balls later, Marco Jansen’s off-stump was rattled, with Siraj going full throttle. His afternoon spell of 8-2-24-3 turned a promising 98/4 into a disastrous 102/7.
Spinning Twins Turn the Screw
Kuldeep Yadav (2-28) and Axar Patel (1-19) were able to exploit the variable bounce beautifully. Kuldeep struck with his sixth ball, giving Temba Bavuma an inside-edge from a sharply turning delivery to backward short-leg. Wiaan Mulder’s ill-fated reverse-sweep delivered Kuldeep’s second wicket. After 23 balls of resistance, Axar dispatched Corbin Bosch with a straight-on arm-ball that trapped him plumb.
The Collapse of South Africa’s Top Order
Out of the South African batters, only three scored in double figures. Markram (31), de Zorzi (24), and Mulder (24) provided some resistance but couldn’t build on their starts. What started as a comfortable score of 67/2 turned into chaos, as South Africa lost 8 wickets for 92 runs in 31.4 overs of relentless, lethal bowling from India. The Eden Gardens crowd went wild by the time South Africa’s innings ended in the 55th over, chanting and singing Bumrah’s name as he made his way off the ground with the prized red ball. South Africa’s score of 159 runs is their third-lowest total against India in India. Bumrah’s five-for proved to be a personal milestone and a statement that in 2025 on Indian soil, the pace king is still king.
Stats
Most five-wicket hauls for India
37 R Ashwin (106 Tests)
35 Anil Kumble (132)
25 Harbhajan Singh (103)
23 Kapil Dev (131)
16 Jasprit Bumrah (51)/ Bhagwat Chandrasekhar (58)
Also Read:Â IND vs SA: Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-Wicket Haul & Steady Batting Later On Makes It India’s Day