Team India pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup with a five-wicket haul on Day 1 (Friday, November 14) of the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Bumrah surpassed former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram in a rare list of bowlers following his bowling performance.
South Africa were dismissed for only 159 on the opening day. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton added a 57-run stand in the first 10 overs, but once India broke through, the visitors struggled to recover and kept losing wickets regularly. Markram was the top scorer with 31 from 48, including five fours and a six.
South Africa Dismissed for Just 159 on Opening Day of First Test
Jasprit Bumrah struck early in the morning session, removing openers Ryan Rickelton (23) and Aiden Markram (31) with unplayable deliveries. Kuldeep Yadav then added to the pressure by dismissing captain Temba Bavuma for just 3 before the lunch break.
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Bumrah returned for a second spell to dismiss Tony de Zorzi for 24. The right-arm fast bowler also removed Simon Harmer for 5 and delivered a scorching yorker to bowl Keshav Maharaj for a duck, completing a brilliant five-wicket haul.
Only Rickelton, Markram, Wiaan Mulder, and de Zorzi contributed in the 20s. Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne were the only other batters to reach double figures, while Bavuma and four others fell cheaply. India were firmly in control after South Africa’s first innings.
Jasprit Bumrah Secures His 16th Five-Wicket Haul in Test Cricket
Jasprit Bumrah unsettled South Africa’s batting lineup with pace, sharp angles, and deceptive bounce. The batsmen struggled throughout his spells and decided to play him out rather than take risks.
Bumrah finished with an economy rate of just 1.90 across three spells, including five maiden overs. The 31-year-old secured his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, the second-highest among Indian pacers, behind only Kapil Dev (23).
Among all Indian bowlers, only Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Kapil Dev have more five-fors. This was also Bumrah’s fourth five-wicket haul against South Africa, placing him just behind Dale Steyn (5) and Ashwin (5) in Tests between the two nations.
Jasprit Bumrah Becomes Asian Pacer With Most Five-Wicket Hauls Against SENA Nations
Bumrah etched his name into the record books by becoming the Asian fast bowler with the most five-wicket hauls against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations in Test cricket history.
Bumrah claimed his 13th five-wicket haul in just 80 innings. He surpassed Wasim Akram, who had 12 in 75 innings, and Kapil Dev, who recorded 11 in 111 innings.
| player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | average | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah(IND) | 43 | 80 | 190 | 21.14 | 13 |
| Wasim Akram (PAK) | 44 | 75 | 180 | 24.68 | 12 |
| Kapil Dev(IND) | 61 | 111 | 197 | 32.18 | 11 |
| Waqar Younis(PAK) | 43 | 74 | 174 | 25.44 | 9 |
| Imran Khan (PAK) | 37 | 61 | 142 | 25.56 | 8 |
| Zaheer Khan(IND) | 57 | 102 | 191 | 33.26 | 8 |
| Shoaib Akhtar(PAK) | 21 | 36 | 82 | 25.20 | 8 |
Also read: Kuldeep Yadav ruled out of IND vs SA 2nd Test, personal reason cited
