There’s something special about the first day of a Test match, especially when it’s being played at a brand new venue. Guwahati was buzzing, hosting its first-ever Test, and what a tussle we got. After winning the toss and opting to bat, South Africa ended the day on 247 for 6. The scoreboard tells a story of a day that was truly even-stevens, a day of starts that never quite became milestones, and a day where India’s bowlers just kept chipping away.
Key Highlights
- ✓ South Africa finished Day 1 on 247/6 after choosing to bat first in Guwahati's historic first-ever Test match.
- ✓ Kuldeep Yadav was the star for India, picking up three crucial wickets (3/48) to halt the visitors' momentum.
- ✓ A unique record was set, with South Africa's top four batters all scoring over 35 but none managing to cross 50.
- ✓ Mohammed Siraj struck with the second new ball in the final moments of the day to dismiss Tony de Zorzi for 28.
- ✓ Rishabh Pant made his debut as India's 38th Test captain, a huge moment for the wicketkeeper-batter.
A Solid Start Undone at the Cusp of Tea
When South African skipper Temba Bavuma called it correctly at the toss, the game plan seemed simple: bat first, post a big total, and put the pressure on India. Current trends reveal that The pitch looked good, and openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton looked determined to make it count. They weathered the early storm from India’s pacers, building what would become the highest partnership of the series so far.
It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Markram had a huge slice of luck when he was on just 4, with KL Rahul dropping a chance at slip. You could feel the collective groan from the Indian fielders. But the pair buckled down, forging an 82-run stand that really laid a solid foundation. Just when it looked like South Africa would cruise into the first break (tea, because of the early 9 AM start) without any damage, Jasprit Bumrah did what he does best. With what turned out to be the very last ball of the session, he rattled Markram’s stumps, sending him back for 38. A classic case of a session won, but with a sting in the tail.
Kuldeep's Web and the Story of the 40s
The wicket of Markram just before the break gave India a massive lift, and they came out firing. We should also mention It didn't take long for the magic to happen, as Kuldeep Yadav got into the act immediately, dismissing Ryan Rickelton for 35, thanks to a sharp catch by captain Pant. Suddenly, South Africa were 82 for 2, and the solid start felt a little wobbly. Current trends reveal that This is where the experienced head of Temba Bavuma and the promising talent of Tristan Stubbs came together.
They stitched together a fantastic 84-run partnership for the third wicket, steadying the ship and frustrating the Indian bowlers. But as Stubbs later mentioned, scoring wasn't easy. He said the pitch "played quite nicely, but I think they bowled quite well. It was quite hard to score. You felt comfortable, but the scoreboard wasn't going anywhere. " That’s exactly how it looked from the outside – a real arm-wrestle.
The Breakthroughs Arrive
Just as the partnership was beginning to look threatening, India’s ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja broke through. Bavuma, looking to up the ante, tried an aerial shot but only managed to find Yashasvi Jaiswal at mid-off, departing for a well-made 41. Then came the big one. Tristan Stubbs, who looked set for a half-century, was undone by his Delhi Capitals teammate, Kuldeep Yadav, for 49. It was a classic piece of spin bowling, finding the edge for KL Rahul to take a sharp catch at first slip. Stubbs couldn't believe it, saying "I can't believe Kuldeep got me out. and KL caught it. That makes your life that much more difficult. " Not long after, Kuldeep struck again, getting Wiaan Mulder for 13, and South Africa had slipped to 201 for 5.
A Tense Finale and Siraj's Late Strike
With the top order gone, the onus fell on Tony de Zorzi and Senuran Muthusamy to see out the day. They batted with a lot of assurance, putting together a vital 45-run stand for the sixth wicket. The light began to fade over Guwahati, and the Indian bowlers were visibly getting frustrated. You could feel the tension building as the day drew to a close.
India decided to take the second new ball as soon as it became available, a move that proved to be a masterstroke. With the umpires checking the light meter, Mohammed Siraj was handed the cherry. He charged in and produced an absolute beauty, a good length ball that seamed away just enough to catch the outside edge of de Zorzi's bat. Rishabh Pant dove to his left and took a brilliant catch. Siraj was pumped, and just like that, another promising partnership was broken right at the end of the day's play. A few balls later, the umpires called stumps due to bad light, bringing an end to a fascinating day of Test cricket.
Conclusion
So, where does that leave us. South Africa's 247 for 6 feels like a score that keeps both teams in the game. It was a day defined by what could have been. The visitors will be kicking themselves that none of their top-order batters converted their starts into a big, match-defining hundred. For India, it was a day of persistence. They bowled with discipline, kept the scoring rate in check, and picked up wickets at crucial intervals, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the charge beautifully. The late wicket from Siraj was the cherry on top, leaving the game perfectly poised for an enthralling Day 2.
