There’s something special about a home Test series, isn't there. The buzz, the pressure, and the sheer chess match between bat and ball. We should also mention The ongoing South Africa Tour of India 2025 has been nothing short of a spectacle, with India’s bowlers, particularly the spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav and the relentless Jasprit Bumrah, putting on a masterclass. They’ve turned the heat up on the Proteas, creating a compelling narrative of skill and strategy.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Kuldeep Yadav has been the tormentor-in-chief, dismissing Wiaan Mulder in both Test matches. We should also mention
- ✓ Jasprit Bumrah has been instrumental, consistently breaking key partnerships and dismantling the top order.
- ✓ In the first Test, Mulder was out for 24 attempting a disastrous reverse sweep against Kuldeep.
- ✓ South Africa leads the two-match series 1-0 after a shock 30-run victory at Eden Gardens. It's important to highlight
- ✓ India continues its formidable home record, having won the last two series against the Proteas by identical 3-0 margins.
The Kolkata Breakdown: A Tale of Two Bowlers
Let's rewind to Day 1 of the opening Test at the iconic Eden Gardens on Friday, November 14. The atmosphere was electric, and right after the lunch break, the action kicked into high gear. It was Kuldeep Yadav who provided the breakthrough, getting the better of Wiaan Mulder. You could almost feel the inevitability of it. Kuldeep sent down a legbreak aimed at the middle stump, and Mulder, in a moment of questionable judgment, went for a reverse sweep.
He missed. Completely. The ball struck his front pad, and the umpire's finger shot up almost instantly. Despite a quick chat with his partner, Tony de Zorzi, Mulder's review was a hopeful one at best. The replays confirmed what everyone suspected: the ball was crashing into middle stump. Mulder had to walk back for 24 off 51 balls, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 114/4. This dismissal was a perfect example of Kuldeep's ability to prey on a batsman's indecision.
But it wasn’t just a one-man show. Earlier in the morning session, Kuldeep had already sent South African captain Temba Bavuma back to the pavilion for a paltry 3 runs. Alongside him, the ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah was wreaking havoc from the other end. Bumrah was the one who broke the promising 57-run opening stand, getting rid of Ryan Rickelton for 23. He didn't stop there, soon finding the edge of Aiden Markram's bat for 31 and later trapping de Zorzi lbw for 24. It was a clinical, disciplined effort that put India firmly in control.
The Shock Result that Set the Stage
Despite India's dominance on Day 1, cricket is a funny old game. In a stunning turn of events, South Africa went on to clinch the first Test by a narrow margin of 30 runs. Chasing a modest target of 124, India crumbled and were bowled out for just 93. This incredible result meant the Proteas headed to the second Test with a 1-0 series lead, adding a whole new layer of pressure and excitement.
Déjà Vu in Guwahati: Kuldeep's Haunting Act Continues
If Wiaan Mulder was hoping for a change of fortune at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati for the second Test, he was sorely mistaken. On Saturday, November 22, he once again found himself face-to-face with his nemesis, Kuldeep Yadav. From a news perspective, This time, the dismissal was different, but the result was painfully the same for the South African all-rounder. Poor Mulder must be seeing Kuldeep's variations in his sleep.
It happened in the 68th over. Kuldeep tossed one up, inviting the big shot. Mulder took the bait, attempting to launch the ball over the top, but he just couldn't get the elevation. The ball flew straight into the waiting hands of Yashasvi Jaiswal at mid-off. A simple catch, and Mulder was gone for 13 off 18 balls. That wicket was Kuldeep's third of the innings, leaving the visitors at 201/5 and once again proving his immense value to the Indian attack.
A Resilient Fightback, but India Keeps Chipping Away
To be fair, South Africa showed more grit in the second Test. After choosing to bat first, openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton put on a solid 82-run partnership, frustrating the Indian bowlers. It took the genius of Bumrah to finally break through, dismissing Markram for 38. Kuldeep then joined the party, removing Rickelton for 35.
The Proteas weren't done fighting, though. Temba Bavuma (41) and Tristan Stubbs built another substantial partnership of 84 runs for the third wicket. Stubbs looked particularly dangerous, hitting four fours and two sixes on his way to 49, but fell just one run short of a well-deserved fifty. It was Ravindra Jadeja who broke that stand by dismissing Bavuma, proving that India's bowling attack has threats from all angles. Even with these partnerships, India’s bowlers just kept coming back, chipping away at the lineup and never allowing South Africa to truly run away with the game.
The Fortress: India's Unstoppable Home Record
This series is playing out against the backdrop of India's near-invincible record at home. South Africa hasn't won a Test series on Indian soil since the 1999/00 season. That's over two decades of dominance by the home side. In fact, the last time the Proteas won a single Test match in India was way back in 2010. Since then, it's been a tough road for the visitors.
The last two home series against South Africa have been particularly one-sided. India secured comprehensive victories with identical 3-0 margins in both the 2015/16 and 2019/20 series. From a news perspective, This historical context just adds more weight to the performances of bowlers like Kuldeep and Bumrah. They are not just winning matches; they are upholding a legacy of turning Indian pitches into fortresses where visiting teams find it incredibly difficult to compete, let alone win.
Conclusion
So, what's the bottom line. The IND vs SA Test series has been a fascinating display of bowling prowess. While South Africa's surprise win in the first Test added an exciting twist, the consistent pressure applied by India's bowlers, led by the magical Kuldeep Yadav and the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, has been the defining story. Kuldeep's psychological edge over Wiaan Mulder is a perfect subplot in a larger narrative of India’s relentless pursuit of victory on home soil. It’s a testament to a bowling unit that is disciplined, skillful, and knows exactly how to exploit home conditions to its advantage.
