Jasprit Bumrah produced a stunning spell of fast bowling to bowl out South Africa for 159 on the opening day of the first Test at Eden Gardens on Friday. The Indian pace spearhead finished with 5 for 27, his latest reminder of why he remains India’s most reliable bowler in red-ball cricket.
Bumrah removed openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton early before striking again to dismiss Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj. His 14-over spell set the tone for India on a pitch that offered just enough help for pacers.
Support From Siraj and Spinners
Mohammed Siraj backed him well with 2 for 47, while Kuldeep Yadav (2/36) and Axar Patel (1/21) shared the remaining wickets. The visitors struggled to stitch partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals against disciplined Indian bowling.
First Fast Bowler in 17 Years
Bumrah’s five-wicket haul also carried a slice of history. He became the first fast bowler in 17 years to take a fifer on Day 1 of a red-ball Test in India. The last pacer to do so was South Africa’s Dale Steyn, who took 5 for 23 in Ahmedabad back in April 2008.
Ishant Sharma had taken a five-wicket haul in Kolkata in 2019, but that match was played with the pink ball. Bumrah’s effort, therefore, is the first by a pacer with the red ball on Day 1 since Steyn’s spell.
Rise in Five-Wicket Haul List
This Kolkata performance is Bumrah’s 16th Test fifer, placing him fifth among Indian bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls. Only Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Kapil Dev are ahead of him on the list.
Bumrah now also stands third in terms of most five-wicket hauls in India–South Africa Tests, with four such spells. Only Steyn and Ashwin, both with five, have more.
India will look to capitalise on their strong start when they begin their first innings later in the day.
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