India vs South Africa 1st Test highlights: South Africa beat India in low-scoring thriller

The second Test will be played in Guwahati from November 22-26. It was SA's first Test win in India in 15 years.

2:09 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India lose a low-scoring thriller

Over 35 | IND 93/9 — SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 30 RUNS

Axar 26(17), Siraj 0(1), Bumrah 0(4)*

Maharaj 9-1-37-2

 

What an over! Fireworks, drama, and finally two wickets in two balls as South Africa seal a famous win in Kolkata.

 

34.1 — FOUR: Axar starts the over with a slog-sweep that isn’t middled, but Rickelton misjudges it at deep midwicket. Boundary anyway.

 

34.2 — SIX: Axar connects sweetly this time — a clean slog-sweep over deep midwicket. Eden Gardens erupts.

 

34.3 — No run: Axar chops to point, thinks of a single, Bumrah says no.

 

34.4 — SIX: Axar keeps India alive with another huge hit, this time straight over long-on. The crowd is roaring.

 

34.5 — WICKET! Maharaj gets his revenge. Axar miscues the slog-sweep and Bavuma takes a superb running catch over his shoulder at midwicket.

 

34.6 — WICKET! Two in two! Siraj edges a turning ball and Markram snaps it low at slip.

 

With Gill unavailable to bat, this wicket ends India’s innings at 93, handing South Africa victory by 30 runs in a gripping low-scoring thriller.

2:05 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: Kuldeep departs

Over 34 | IND 77/7

Axar 10(12), Bumrah 0(4)**

Harmer 14-4-21-4

 

Simon Harmer tightens his grip on the Test with another wicket in a miserly over.

 

33.1: Axar works a full ball to long-on for a single.

 

33.2: WICKET! Kuldeep is trapped plumb in front by a classic offbreak. No bat, three reds on DRS — India burn their second review and sink further.

 

Bumrah then manages to survive four probing deliveries, all dipping, drifting, and demanding defence.

 

India are 77/7, or effectively 77/8, and clinging on as Harmer continues to run riot with 4 wickets.

2:05 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 76-6

Over 33 | IND 76/6

Kuldeep 1(12), Axar 9(11)**

Markram 3-0-5-1

 

Aiden Markram keeps India under the squeeze with another tight over.

 

32.1: Absolute ripper! Markram pitches on leg, gets sharp turn, and beats Axar’s outside edge.

 

32.2: Axar chops a single to point, but hands strike to Kuldeep early in the over.

 

Kuldeep then faces four probing balls — all well-defended or wisely left as Markram tests him outside off.

 

India inch to 76/6, but South Africa are just three wickets away from sealing the match.

2:03 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 75-6 after 32 Overs

Over 32 | IND 75/6

Kuldeep 1(8), Axar 8(9)**

Harmer 13-4-20-3

A tight, probing over from Simon Harmer, who continues to operate with immaculate control.

 

 

31.1: Axar drives a full one to long-off for a single.

 

 

The rest of the over is all about Harmer testing Kuldeep with drift, dip and sharp turn.

 

 

31.5: A loud lbw shout — very similar to Jadeja’s dismissal — but this time the ball clips pad first and then the bat, saving Kuldeep.

 

 

Kuldeep sees out the remaining balls with caution, leaving wisely when Harmer drags him wide.

 

 

India fight on at 75/6, with South Africa sensing another opening.

2:02 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: Sundar departs

Over 31 | IND 74/6

Axar 7(8), Kuldeep 1(3)**

Markram 2-0-4-1

 

A massive moment in the Test as Aiden Markram strikes in this over, removing India’s most settled batter.

 

30.1: Axar starts with a driven single to long-on.

 

30.2 — WICKET! Washington Sundar edges one to slip. A beautiful offbreak from Markram that bounced a touch extra, drew Sundar forward, kissed the outer edge, and Harmer completed a sharp low catch. India lose their anchor — huge blow.

 

Kuldeep Yadav walks in and sees off two deliveries safely.

 

30.5: Kuldeep gets off the mark with a paddle sweep for a single.

 

30.6: Axar ends the over with a controlled drive for one.

 

India now 74/6, target still 85 runs away, and the pressure is squarely on the lower order.

2:01 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 71-5 after 30 Overs

Over 30 | IND 71/5

Sundar 31(91), Axar 5(6)**

Harmer 12-4-19-3

 

Another tight over from Simon Harmer, but India pick up three valuable runs.

 

29.1: Axar starts with a confident drive to long-off for a single.

 

Sundar then plays out four balls with solid defence, choosing not to chase the wider one that spun away.

 

29.6: Harmer goes wider, and Sundar takes advantage — a neat drive into the gap earns him two runs.

 

India continue to chip away, now 80 runs away from the target, with Sundar standing firm.

1:49 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 68-5 after 29 Overs

Over 29 | IND 68/5

Sundar 29(86), Axar 4(5)**

Markram 1-0-1-0

 

A tidy first over from Aiden Markram, who starts with good control and keeps India quiet.

 

28.1: Axar gets off strike with a push-driven single.

 

The rest of the over is all about Washington Sundar’s solid defence. Markram varies his pace between 80–90 kph, tossing it up and attacking the stumps, but Sundar responds with assured forward blocks and soft hands.

 

A hint of inside edge rolls to short leg, but no danger.

 

Just one run from the over as India continue to grind through this tense chase.

1:38 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: Jadeja departs

WICKET! India 67/5 — Jadeja falls, Harmer strikes again

 

Simon Harmer continues to dismantle India’s chase, removing Ravindra Jadeja lbw for 18 with a lovely dipping offbreak. Jadeja reviewed in disbelief, but ball-tracking showed three reds — smashing into the stumps. A massive moment as India slip deeper into trouble.

 

Axar Patel walked in and showed composure, collecting two with a neat flick to midwicket and another single with a push to mid-on. Washington Sundar, meanwhile, continues to stand firm but lost his partner at a crucial time.

 

Harmer finishes the over with yet another sharp stop off his own bowling.

 

India now 67/5, under serious pressure in this tense chase.

1:34 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 60 more runs to win

India move to 64/4 as Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja continue chipping away at the target.

 

A more eventful over from Keshav Maharaj this time. Sundar collected two with a firm drive to long-off — Harmer pulling off a tumbling stop but looking uncomfortable with his right shoulder afterwards — and then added another with a push down the ground.

 

Jadeja brought out a premeditated reverse sweep, the ball ballooning off his glove but luckily falling over the vacant leg-slip area for a single.

 

The pressure remains high, but India’s pair are handling it well so far. India 64/4, needing calm heads as the chase continues.

1:31 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 64 more runs to win

India inch ahead to 60/4 as Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja continue their patient rebuild against a probing Simon Harmer.

 

A tight over again from the off-spinner — just two runs off it. Jadeja picked up a single via an overpitched ball that he eased to long-off, while Sundar added one more with a neat dab square of the wicket.

 

Harmer, though, is asking serious questions. One delivery pitches outside off and rips past Sundar’s forward push, drawing an appreciative “Simon, beautiful” from keeper Verreynne. Another turns sharply from outside leg, forcing Sundar to abandon a flick and play it safely with a straight bat.

 

India 60/4, the stand worth (22 runs off 39 balls), and every run is being earned the hard way on this turning surface.

1:28 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 66 more runs to win

India move to 58/4 after another steady over, collecting four runs off Keshav Maharaj.

 

Ravindra Jadeja keeps the board ticking with a back-foot flick to deep square and a well-run brace through midwicket. He was beaten once playing for turn that wasn’t there — Maharaj’s arm ball straightened to open him up past the outside edge.

 

Washington Sundar, meanwhile, continues his remarkable discipline. He added a single with a soft deflection behind point and now holds the record for most balls faced in this Test (153*) with the lowest false-shot percentage (11.4%) among anyone with 10+ balls — a priceless effort on this minefield.

1:25 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 70 more runs to win

A busy over for India as they pick up three singles against Simon Harmer, moving to 54/4 after 24 overs.

 

Washington Sundar continues to look composed, collecting two runs in the over — one a neat push through cover and another a firm drive to long-off. He also copped a sharp bounce that clipped his glove but survived confidently.

 

Ravindra Jadeja added one more with a controlled flick to midwicket but was nearly pinned when Harmer slid one on with the arm — impact was outside leg.

 

Pressure remains high with Harmer extracting turn, drift and variable bounce, but India’s fifth-wicket pair is hanging in. Sundar is now 24 off 69, Jadeja 13 off 18.

1:21 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 73 more runs to win

India add two more in a steady over from Keshav Maharaj and move to 51/4 after 23 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja continuing to fight hard.

 

Jadeja picked up a well-judged two by guiding a drifting delivery wide of slip off the outer half of the bat — good awareness and excellent running with Washington Sundar. Otherwise, it was an over of tight defence, with Maharaj teasing Jadeja repeatedly with flight, drift and angles from round the wicket.

 

Jadeja is now 12 off 16, showing composure, while Sundar remains on 22 off 65, steady at the non-striker’s end.

 

The partnership is holding, but South Africa’s spinners continue to keep the pressure on.

1:19 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 49-4

India inch forward to 49/4 after another eventful over from Simon Harmer, with Ravindra Jadeja looking increasingly positive even as the pitch continues to play tricks.

 

Jadeja began the over with an attempted sweep that under-edged into the leg-slip region, but he made Harmer pay two balls later — a fuller delivery drifting down leg was swept firmly to fine leg for four, despite de Zorzi’s diving effort from backward short leg. Jadeja later added a single to deep square leg and moves to 10 off 10, batting with intent.

 

Washington Sundar, still solid in defence, was tested by a quicker ball at 90 kph that kept low, but he spotted it early and blocked with a smile — perhaps acknowledging the battle he’s locked in with Harmer. He stays on 22 off 65, watchful and steady.

 

India are 49/4, needing 102 more, as this chase continues to swing with every delivery on a pitch offering turn, drift and uneven bounce.

1:16 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 44-4 (effectively 5 wicket lost as Gill ruled out)

India move to 44/4 after a mixed over from Marco Jansen, with Ravindra Jadeja getting off the mark in style but Washington Sundar continuing to grind through a tough spell.

The over began with a leg-bye as Washington took evasive action against a rising short ball. Then Jadeja, fresh at the crease, pounced on a rare loose delivery — Jansen strayed onto the pads, and Jadeja glanced it fine for four, despite a diving effort at fine leg. He later added a single with a well-controlled punch to deep point.

Washington, meanwhile, continues to absorb pressure. Several balls climbed or angled awkwardly into him, and he defended with soft hands, ending the over on 22 off 64.

Jadeja is 5 off 5, and India are now 44/4, still needing 107 more. South Africa maintain an attacking field — slip, gully, short leg — and the pitch continues to misbehave.

1:07 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: Pant departs

India sink deeper into trouble — 38/4 after 20 overs — as Simon Harmer produces a brilliant wicket-maiden and removes Rishabh Pant with a soft dismissal.

 

Pant, who had looked completely unsettled against Harmer, finally succumbed. After being beaten repeatedly by turn, drift and skid, he pushed early at a slower, dipping ball and chipped a simple return catch to the bowler. Pant departs for 2 off 13, and with Shubman Gill unavailable, India are effectively five down.

 

Ravindra Jadeja walked in and had to survive two probing deliveries: a quick one at 94.6 kph on the pads and another drifting in that produced an inside edge onto pad. Harmer is now in complete control, extracting sharp turn and variation at will.

 

India remain 38/4, still needing 113 runs, and the chase is starting to look increasingly precarious.

1:06 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 38-3 after 19 Overs

Another maiden — the pressure keeps mounting. India stay 38/3 after 19 overs, with Washington Sundar forced into a full over of defence against a relentless Marco Jansen.

 

Jansen continued to hit that nagging length around off and middle, getting both bounce and seam movement. Sundar handled it with soft hands, blocking everything offered — straight-batted defence to mid-on, firm checks on the on-side, and a couple of late plays outside off. One ball climbed awkwardly across him, but he judged it well and let it go.

 

A brief delay due to crowd disturbance behind the umpire didn’t disrupt Jansen’s rhythm, and Sundar ends the over on 22 off 61, stuck at the crease but still calm.

 

Pant remains 2 off 9 at the other end, and India have now gone 18 consecutive balls without a run.

 

Target still 113 away, and every passing over makes this chase more claustrophobic. South Africa tightening the screws.

1:04 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 38-3 after 18 Overs

A testing maiden from Simon Harmer and India remain 38/3 after 18 overs. Rishabh Pant had to survive a seriously challenging set of deliveries as Harmer continued to extract sharp turn, bounce and skid from this increasingly mischievous surface.

Pant was beaten multiple times in the over — first by sharp turn that hit the shoulder of his bat, then by a quicker ball at 92 kph that skidded on as he backed away, nearly dragging it onto his stumps. Harmer also got one to spin past the outside edge and another to slide onto the pads as Pant tried to smother it.

Pant is now 2 off 9, under real pressure.
Washington Sundar stays on 22 off 55, watching from the non-striker's end as Harmer threatens every ball.

India stay stuck at 38/3, still needing 113 runs on a pitch that’s turning into a minefield. South Africa are right in this.

1:04 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 38-3

India move to 38/3 after a cautious but steady over from Marco Jansen, who continues to bowl with discipline in this tense chase.

 

Washington Sundar dabbed the first ball behind square for a single, moving to 22 off 55, before defending everything else solidly in the corridor outside off. Jansen probed relentlessly, forcing Sundar into a series of leaves and careful blocks.

 

Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, showed a glimpse of his intent — flashing at a short, wide delivery and sending it aerially over backward point for a single. It fell safely short of third man, but it was a reminder of how quickly he can shift momentum.

 

Pant is 2 off 3, Sundar is holding firm, and India reach 38/3, still effectively four down with Gill unavailable.

Target remaining: 113. The tension isn’t going anywhere.

12:53 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: Pant survives a close call

India inch forward to 36/3 after a drama-filled 16th over from Keshav Maharaj, who kept the batters guessing with drift, turn and clever changes of pace.

 

Washington Sundar continued to anchor the chase, driving two full deliveries down to long-on for singles and moving to 21 off 50, looking composed despite the pressure.

 

Rishabh Pant, fresh to the crease, immediately added to the tension. He punched a flighted ball square for a single, but the big moment came when South Africa erupted in appeal for a catch at backward short leg off a reverse-sweep attempt. They reviewed instantly — only for UltraEdge to show clear contact with Pant’s forearm, not the glove. With impact outside off on the LBW check, SA burn their second review.

 

Pant survives, on 1 off 2, but India remain in a tense situation at 36/3, effectively four down with Gill unavailable.

 

The target stands at 115, but South Africa’s spinners are tightening the field and increasing the pressure.

12:47 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: Harmer gets Jurel

Huge moment in the Test — India slip to 33/3 as Simon Harmer removes Dhruv Jurel with a wicket that will sting.

 

After five tight deliveries, Harmer dragged one down — a rare rank long hop — and Jurel went after it instantly, eyeing the deep midwicket boundary. But the ball held up just a touch off the surface, Jurel was through the shot early, and the mis-hit lobbed straight to Corbin Bosch in the deep. A gift of a dismissal, and South Africa can hardly believe their luck.

 

Jurel falls for 13 off 34 (3 fours), and with Shubman Gill unavailable, India are effectively 33 for 4 in this chase of 151.

 

Washington Sundar had picked up a single earlier in the over and moves to 19 off 46, but the pressure is now enormous. South Africa sense a real opening.

12:40 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: 32-2 after 14 Overs

Another maiden — the pressure continues to build. India remain 32/2 after 14 overs, with Dhruv Jurel having to negotiate a full over of testing spin from Keshav Maharaj.

 

Maharaj kept Jurel tied down with smart variations in flight and subtle drift, forcing the right-hander into repeated front-foot defences. One ball gripped enough to take a faint inside edge back toward the bowler, but it fell safely. Jurel then tried creating room on a shorter delivery but could only chop it to backward point.

 

Jurel is now 13 off 33, Sundar 18 off 41, and India haven’t scored in 13 balls.

Target remains 119 away, but South Africa’s spinners are tightening the noose.

12:39 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: 32-2 after 13 Overs

A testing maiden from Simon Harmer keeps India on 32/2 after 13 overs, with the off-spinner beginning to extract serious turn and bounce once again.

 

Washington Sundar had to stay tight in defence throughout the over. Harmer mixed up his pace and length beautifully — tossing some up, dragging others shorter — and the final delivery was the most dangerous: a vicious ripper that turned sharply past Sundar’s outside edge, kicking off the surface.

 

Sundar remains on 18 off 41, Jurel on 13 off 27, but South Africa will be encouraged by the amount of purchase Harmer is getting.

The target remains 119 runs away, and every over is becoming a mini-battle on this wearing surface.

12:38 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: 31-2 after 11 Overs

India continue to make steady progress, reaching 31/2 after 11 overs, with Washington Sundar growing increasingly confident at the crease.

 

Sundar began the over by leaving three balls outside off, showing good judgement. Then Corbin Bosch strayed down leg, and Sundar cashed in — a fine flick off a back-of-a-length delivery, using soft hands to guide it past the keeper for a well-controlled boundary. The target continues to shrink with every such release ball.

 

He added a single off the final delivery, tucking one off his hips, and moves to 17 off 33. Dhruv Jurel remains solid at 13 off 23.

 

India now need just 120 more, and the partnership is looking composed, but the bowlers are still getting enough movement and uneven bounce to keep this chase tense.

12:29 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: 26-2 after 10 Overs

A quieter over this time as India move to 26/2. Keshav Maharaj keeps things tight with good drift and bounce, conceding just a single in the 10th over.

 

Washington Sundar picked up that run by leaning into a gentle push past the bowler, moving to 12 off 27. Dhruv Jurel then had to negotiate a testing sequence — Maharaj found turn and extra bounce, beating him once on the outside edge and forcing him into solid forward strides in defence.

 

Jurel holds at 13 off 23, and India remain steady, if cautious, at 26/2, chasing 151.

12:26 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: 25-2 after 9 Overs

A big over for India! 9 runs off Corbin Bosch takes them to 25/2, and the target is now down to double digits — 99 needed.

 

Washington Sundar began with a solid leave before nudging a single wide of point. Then Dhruv Jurel took over, unfurling two classy boundaries in the space of four balls.

 

First, he got inside the line of a short, drifting delivery down leg and helped it fine for four. Moments later, Bosch strayed straighter and Jurel waited on a good-length ball, closed the face beautifully, and worked it past square leg for another boundary — pure timing.

 

There was drama too: Jurel was given out caught behind on 8. He reviewed instantly, and UltraEdge showed a clear gap — the sound was bat hitting pad. Decision reversed.

 

Jurel moves to 13 off 19, Sundar to 11 off 25, and India’s chase is finally gaining rhythm at 25/2. The pressure eases just a touch — but this pitch is still dangerous.

12:21 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: 16-2 after 8 Overs

India pick up some much-needed momentum after lunch, adding 6 runs in the 8th over to move to 16/2. Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel are starting to look a touch more settled against Keshav Maharaj, who was introduced right after the break.

 

Jurel began the over with a punch through the off-side for a single, before Sundar collected two twos in a row — first with soft hands outside off, then with an inside edge as Maharaj drifted down leg. Sundar then flicked another full delivery past midwicket for a single, taking him into double digits.

 

Maharaj did end with a loud LBW appeal against Jurel, prompting South Africa to review. But ball-tracking showed it was sliding down leg — SA burn their first review.

 

India now 16/2, with Sundar on 10 off 23 and Jurel on 5 off 15, slowly building a partnership in a tense chase.

12:13 PM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: Post lunch session begins

This could be final session in the first Test between India and South Africa.

11:40 AM

1st Test Day 3 | What India needs

South Africa set India a 124-run victory target in the first Test after stretching their second innings to 153 on day three here on Sunday.

 

South Africa did well to cross 150 on a testing pitch after resuming the day at 93 for seven.

 

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma scored the first fifty of the game, ending with 55 not out off 136 balls with the help of four boundaries.

 

Ravindra Jadeja was the pick among the bowlers for India, taking 4/50.

 

India are without their regular skipper Shubman Gill who was declared ruled out of the remainder of the Kolkata Test due to a neck injury he suffered on the second day's play here at the Eden Gardens.

11:37 AM

1st Test Day 3 | IND vs SA LIVE SCORE: India 10-2 after 6 Overs at Lunch break

Lunch on Day 3 — and India survive, but only just. Another maiden from Marco Jansen means the hosts go in at 10/2, still under massive pressure in their chase of 151.

 

Washington Sundar battled through the entire over, defending on the crease against Jansen’s probing lengths on and around off stump. He even let a short, looping delivery outside off go — expecting a wide — but it wasn’t given. Sundar closes the session on 5 off 20, showing grit but struggling to score.

 

Dhruv Jurel remains 4 off 12 at the other end, and India head to lunch with just 10 runs on the board and two wickets down, effectively three with Shubman Gill ruled out.

 

A tense session awaits after the break — the pitch is misbehaving, Jansen is breathing fire, and India have a long road ahead.