Kolkata Test | DD News

November 17, 2025 1:08 PM

Team India confronts batting blind spot after Kolkata pitch boomerangs

India have long curated home tracks that accentuate turn, but the assumption their own batters would master such conditions no longer appears safe following their defeat in the opening test against South Africa. On a treacherous Eden Gardens' pitch, the ball bounced irregularly and turned sharply and none of the teams posted 200. Touring captain Temba Bavuma's unbeaten 55 was the highest score by any batter. India, a batter short as skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt in the first innings with a...

November 16, 2025 5:19 PM

1st Test: Gambhir defends Kolkata pitch, Bavuma savours special knock

India coach Gautam Gambhir said there was no "demons in the pitch" despite his team's spectacular meltdown in the low-scoring opening test against South Africa on Sunday. Chasing 124 for victory, India folded for 93 on a minefield of a pitch where South Africa captain Temba Bavuma scored the only half-century of the match that finished inside three days. On an Eden Gardens surface where sharp spin and inconsistent bounce meant even the set batters could not convert their starts into big knocks...

November 16, 2025 2:47 PM

1st Test: Harmer spins South Africa to thrilling win against India

Off-spinner Simon Harmer led South Africa's lion-hearted bowling effort as the Proteas registered a thrilling 30-run victory against India inside three days of the low-scoring opening test on Sunday. Harmer claimed 4-21 as India, chasing 124 for victory, folded for 93 in a remarkable batting meltdown in front of the nearly 40,000-strong crowd at Eden Gardens. Earlier, Temba Bavuma dragged South Africa back into the contest with an innings of tremendous grit. Having conceded a first-innings le...

November 16, 2025 3:25 PM

India vs South Africa: Shubman Gill out of Kolkata test with neck injury

India captain Shubman Gill will not take any further part in the ongoing opening test against South Africa after he was forced to retire hurt with a neck injury in the first innings, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said on Sunday. Gill hit a four before walking off the field rubbing his neck and did not bat again as India posted 189 in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 159. He was subsequently taken to a hospital and was under observation, the BCCI said. "He will take no further ...

November 14, 2025 9:48 AM

South Africa bat first vs India but Rabada out with injury

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma elected to bat after winning the toss for the opening test against India on Friday, but the visitors will be without Kagiso Rabada at Eden Gardens as the pace spearhead misses out due to a rib injury. Seam bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch replaces Rabada. "It's on the dry side, not much grass," said Bavuma, who is returning to the side after a calf injury. "It's a typical Indian wicket. First-innings runs is the key." India picked a four-pronged spin attack w...