Team India suffered a shocking 30-run defeat inside three days to South Africa in the first Test at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The hosts were bowled out for just 93 in the final innings, chasing a paltry 124. It came after their first innings folded for 189 on a crumbling pitch.
With their regular skipper Shubman Gill being sidelined from the Test match due to a neck injury, India's batting collapsed like nine pins, with no one reaching the 50-run mark across two innings.
In fact, only Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma managed to register a 40-plus score in the game, finishing unbeaten on 55 in the third innings.
This was India’s fourth loss in last six home Tests, stretching back to the 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. They are now facing a must-win situation in the upcoming second Test in Guwahati to avoid another series loss at home.
The outcome of Kolkata Test left the Indian cricket fraternity disappointed. The former cricketers minced no words as they questioned the unsporting pitch served for the series opener and Indian batters’ falling standards against spin bowling.
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