India Seize Control on Dramatic Day 2 as Jadeja, Kuldeep Crush South Africa’s Top Order

India walked out on the second morning in Eden Gardens with 9 wickets in hand and a 122-run deficit. By the time stumps were drawn, they stood on the brink of controlling the Test after a wild day that shredded expectations and flipped the match on its head. South Africa closed the day at 93 for 7.

The pitch looked like a normal Indian strip at the toss. It carried good colour and felt firm enough for two days of batting. But the top layer started breaking late on Day 1, and the second morning exposed cracks, loose patches, and inconsistent bounce. The ball gripped, spat, and hurried. Even the seamers hit grooves and drew help throughout the day. Nothing about the deck resembled a balanced wicket, and the cricket spiraled into a survival test.

A Day of Wickets, Disorder, and Low Scores

Fifteen wickets fell. The highest score reached was only 39. The best partnership topped out at 57. No Test in India had seen such low individual and partnership numbers across the first two innings. The last time any Test had witnessed similar figures came in Durban in 2010-11, with these same two sides battling identical demons.

Harmer turned the day he came on. He dismissed Washington with a drift and a sharp turn, then beat the outside edge on the next ball. Gill walked in, swept Harmer for four, and immediately clutched his neck as a spasm returned. India’s No. 3 retired hurt and left the field with clear discomfort.

Rahul handled the surface. He moved to 39 with soft hands and smart placement, but even he slipped when Keshav Maharaj found a big turn. Rishabh Pant’s lively start ended when Corbin Bosch surprised him with bounce. Jadeja fell earlier to an ideal off-spinner’s dismissal. India’s lower order offered little. The final four wickets fell in a heap for 36 runs.

Marco Jansen backed Harmer well with a strong spell and figures of 3 for 35. He hit the right length all afternoon, and the absence of Kagiso Rabada did not show up in that session. Maharaj conceded runs but kept India honest. Harmer finished with 4 for 30, a return that showed how far he has grown since his earlier tour of India ten years ago. India folded for a lead of only 30.

India’s Spinners Take Charge of a Tumbling Test

Jasprit Bumrah opened the attack with the old ball and the same intensity from his first-innings five-for. He hit cracks and jagged bounce, but Pant, captaining in Gill’s absence, soon switched to spin from both ends. Kuldeep Yadav struck before tea when Ryan Rickelton played back to a ball that skidded on. It was the final action of a riveting session.

Jadeja then entered the game. He rushed through his overs with pace, accuracy, and subtle changes. Aiden Markram checked a sweep that he initially committed to because the ball stopped slightly on the surface. Tony de Zorzi reverse-swept his first ball, but the next leapt at him and popped up for a simple catch.

Wiaan Mulder defended with intent, but Jadeja eventually beat his bat with a sharp turn. Tristan Stubbs fell next after Jadeja moved wide of the crease, angled the ball in, then ripped it past the outside edge and into the off stump. It was pure craftsmanship.

Axar Patel joined in when Kyle Verreynne attempted a slog sweep and miscued. On this surface, boundaries came only through risk, and Verreynne paid the price. Jansen swung freely and reached 13 before he feathered a sweep to Pant off Kuldeep.

India’s catching never dipped. Rahul took a sharp low chance in the cordon late in the day after Pant deflected an edge. 

Temba Bavuma stood firm at one end. He blocked, swept, and showed calm judgment. He reached stumps unbeaten on 29 from 78 balls, but South Africa has a lead of 63 runs with only three wickets left. His job on the third morning will demand resolve on a pitch offering little comfort.

India closed the day with belief and energy. South Africa walked off bruised by a surface that refused rhythm. A result loomed ahead of time, and India tightened their grip on a match that spun out of control for both sides until Jadeja restored order.