Kolkata Test, Day 1: Bumrah's fifer puts India on command
What's the story
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered an exceptional performance on the first day of the opening Test match against South Africa at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. He took a five-wicket haul, helping his team bundle out the visitors for just 159 runs. In response, the visitors finished the day at 37/1 with KL Rahul and Washington Sundar, India's number three, returning unbeaten. Here is the opening day's report.
1st innings
South Africa collapsed after fine start
South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. They were off to a fine start with openers Aiden Markram (31) and Ryan Rickelton (23) adding 57 runs. However, a sudden collapse meant the team was all out for 159 inside two sessions. Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi, who scored 24 each, were the only other batters with 20-plus scores in the innings. Bumrah led the charge as he trapped both openers and de Zorzi.
Milestone achievement
Bumrah only behind these names
Bumrah finished with 5/27 from his 14 overs (5 maidens). As per ESPNcricinfo, this five-wicket haul was his 16th in Test cricket, equaling Bhagwat Chandrasekhar. His 5/27 also makes him the first fast bowler since Ishant Sharma in 2019 to take a five-for on the opening day of a Test match in India. He has completed 231 Test wickets at an incredible average of 19.52. This is the best average among bowlers with at least 200 Test wickets.
DYK
Best bowling average in India
Playing his 15th Test at home, Bumrah has accounted for 59 wickets at an excellent average of 16.55, as per ESPNcricinfo. The tally includes three fifers now. Among bowlers with at least 50 Test wickets in India, Bumrah boasts the best average. Meanwhile, this was his fourth fifer across nine Tests against SA, as he has raced to 43 wickets against them at an average of 18.97.
Bowlers
Kuldeep, Siraj claim two wickets each
While Bumrah was the stand-out performer, other Indian bowlers also played a crucial role in South Africa's batting collapse. Mohammed Siraj took two wickets for 47 runs, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav (2/36) and Axar Patel (1/21) claimed two and one wickets respectively. The collective effort from the Indian bowling unit ensured that South Africa were unable to put up a strong total. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja (0/13) and Sundar (0/3) went wicket-less in the innings.
2nd innings
Steady start for India
India were off to a poor start with in-form opener Yashasvi Jaiswal falling to Marco Jansen after managing just 12 runs. Rahul was then joined by Sundar as the duo frustrated the SA bowlers with their gritty defense. One would say that both batters operated with too much caution as the track's variable bounce was assisting the bowlers. While Rahul returned unbeaten on 13 off 59 balls, Sundar faced 38 balls for his 6*. India finished at 37/1 (20 overs).