South Africa National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard 1st Test
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The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard for the first Test of the 2025 Freedom Trophy records one of the most dramatic low-scoring contests between the two sides in recent years. The match was played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from November 14 to November 16, 2025.
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first but were bowled out for 159. India took a 30-run first-innings lead by making 189. South Africa then recovered to score 153 in their second innings, leaving India a target of 124.
India’s chase collapsed dramatically. The hosts were bowled out for just 93 in 35 overs, handing South Africa a 30-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. Simon Harmer was the key performer, taking 4/30 in India’s first innings and another 4/21 in the fourth innings.
Match Overview
The first Test was played on a challenging Eden Gardens surface where spin became increasingly influential as the match progressed.
South Africa’s first innings lasted 55 overs and produced 159 runs. Aiden Markram top-scored with 31, while Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi each made 24. Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling attack with 5/27.
India responded with 189. KL Rahul made 39, Washington Sundar scored 29 and Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant contributed 27 each. Simon Harmer took four wickets for South Africa.
South Africa’s second innings was led by captain Temba Bavuma, who remained unbeaten on 55 from 136 balls. Ravindra Jadeja took 4/50 as South Africa were dismissed for 153.
India needed 124 but could manage only 93. Washington Sundar’s 31 was India’s highest score, while Simon Harmer again took four wickets.
| Match Detail | Information |
| Match | South Africa vs India, 1st Test |
| Series | Freedom Trophy 2025 |
| Date | November 14–16, 2025 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Toss | South Africa won and elected to bat |
| South Africa 1st Innings | 159 all out |
| India 1st Innings | 189 all out |
| South Africa 2nd Innings | 153 all out |
| India 2nd Innings | 93 all out |
| Target | 124 |
| Result | South Africa won by 30 runs |
| Player of the Match | Simon Harmer |
South Africa First Innings
South Africa had a difficult beginning after choosing to bat first.
Aiden Markram scored 31 from 48 balls, while Ryan Rickelton contributed 23 from 22 deliveries. Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi both made 24, but India kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 15 and was the last major resistance in the innings.
Jasprit Bumrah produced the outstanding bowling performance. His 5/27 from 14 overs included five maidens. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each.
South Africa were eventually dismissed for 159 in 55 overs.
| South Africa Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Aiden Markram | 31 | 48 | 5 | 1 |
| Ryan Rickelton | 23 | 22 | 4 | 0 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 24 | 51 | 3 | 0 |
| Temba Bavuma | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Tony de Zorzi | 24 | 55 | 1 | 1 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 15* | 74 | 1 | 0 |
| Kyle Verreynne | 16 | 36 | 2 | 0 |
| Marco Jansen | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Corbin Bosch | 3 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Simon Harmer | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 15 | — | — | — |
| Total | 159 all out | 55 overs | — | — |
India Bowling Performance
India’s bowling attack controlled much of the opening innings.
Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler with 5/27. His disciplined spell kept South Africa’s scoring rate low and prevented the visitors from building a large first-innings total.
Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Axar Patel claimed one. Ravindra Jadeja completed a highly economical spell without taking a wicket.
| India Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 14 | 5 | 27 | 5 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 12 | 0 | 47 | 2 |
| Axar Patel | 6 | 2 | 21 | 1 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 14 | 1 | 36 | 2 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 8 | 2 | 13 | 0 |
| Washington Sundar | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
India First Innings
India started their response with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul at the top.
Jaiswal scored 12, while Rahul made 39 from 119 balls in a patient innings. Washington Sundar added 29 from 82 deliveries and helped India build a narrow advantage.
Rishabh Pant scored 27 from only 24 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja also contributed 27.
India eventually reached 189, gaining a 30-run first-innings lead over South Africa.
Simon Harmer was the central figure in South Africa’s bowling attack. He took 4/30 from 15.2 overs. Marco Jansen added three wickets, while Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch took one each.
| India Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 12 | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| KL Rahul | 39 | 119 | 4 | 1 |
| Washington Sundar | 29 | 82 | 2 | 1 |
| Shubman Gill | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Rishabh Pant | 27 | 24 | 2 | 2 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 27 | 45 | 3 | 0 |
| Dhruv Jurel | 14 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| Axar Patel | 16 | 45 | 2 | 0 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 1* | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 18 | — | — | — |
| Total | 189 all out | 62.2 overs | — | — |
South Africa Bowling Performance
South Africa’s spinners became increasingly effective as India’s first innings progressed.
Simon Harmer took four wickets and conceded only 30 runs. His control created constant pressure on the Indian middle order.
Marco Jansen took three wickets for 35 runs, while Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch completed the remaining wickets.
| South Africa Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Marco Jansen | 15 | 4 | 35 | 3 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 5 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 16 | 1 | 66 | 1 |
| Corbin Bosch | 11 | 4 | 32 | 1 |
| Simon Harmer | 15.2 | 4 | 30 | 4 |
South Africa Second Innings
South Africa began their second innings with a lead of only 30 runs, so India remained in a strong position.
India’s spinners quickly put pressure on the South African batting order. Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed two.
South Africa slipped badly and were reduced to a vulnerable position. Captain Temba Bavuma then produced the innings that changed the direction of the Test.
Bavuma remained unbeaten on 55 from 136 balls. Corbin Bosch added 25, while Marco Jansen made 13.
South Africa were dismissed for 153 in 54 overs, leaving India a target of 124.
| South Africa Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Ryan Rickelton | 11 | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| Aiden Markram | 4 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 11 | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| Temba Bavuma | 55* | 136 | 4 | 0 |
| Tony de Zorzi | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 5 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Kyle Verreynne | 9 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Marco Jansen | 13 | 16 | 0 | 1 |
| Corbin Bosch | 25 | 37 | 2 | 1 |
| Simon Harmer | 7 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 11 | — | — | — |
| Total | 153 all out | 54 overs | — | — |
India Bowling in the Second Innings
Ravindra Jadeja was India’s most successful bowler in South Africa’s second innings.
He took 4/50 from 20 overs and repeatedly attacked the South African middle order. Kuldeep Yadav also produced two important wickets.
Mohammed Siraj was particularly economical, taking two wickets for only two runs from his two overs.
Jasprit Bumrah added one wicket, while Axar Patel also claimed one.
| India Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 10 | 2 | 24 | 1 |
| Axar Patel | 14 | 0 | 36 | 1 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 8 | 1 | 30 | 2 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 20 | 3 | 50 | 4 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
India Second Innings
India needed only 124 runs for victory, but the chase turned into a dramatic collapse.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, and KL Rahul followed for one. Washington Sundar then tried to hold the innings together with a patient 31 from 92 balls.
Dhruv Jurel scored 13 and Rishabh Pant managed only two. Ravindra Jadeja made 18 before becoming another victim of Harmer.
Axar Patel provided a brief burst of aggression with 26 from 17 balls, including two sixes, but his dismissal left India in serious trouble.
India were finally bowled out for 93 after 35 overs, leaving South Africa 30 runs ahead in the match.
| India Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| KL Rahul | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Sundar | 31 | 92 | 2 | 0 |
| Dhruv Jurel | 13 | 34 | 3 | 0 |
| Rishabh Pant | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 18 | 26 | 2 | 0 |
| Axar Patel | 26 | 17 | 1 | 2 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 0* | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Shubman Gill | Absent hurt | — | — | — |
| Extras | 1 | — | — | — |
| Total | 93 all out | 35 overs | — | — |
South Africa Bowling Performance in the Fourth Innings
Simon Harmer delivered the decisive bowling spell of the Test.
The off-spinner bowled 14 overs and conceded only 21 runs while taking four wickets. His spell dismantled India’s middle and lower order and turned a difficult chase into a South African victory.
Marco Jansen took two wickets for 15 runs, while Keshav Maharaj also took two. Aiden Markram contributed one wicket.
| South Africa Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Marco Jansen | 7 | 3 | 15 | 2 |
| Simon Harmer | 14 | 4 | 21 | 4 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 9 | 1 | 37 | 2 |
| Corbin Bosch | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Aiden Markram | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
Top Performers
Simon Harmer was the defining player of the Test. He took eight wickets across the two Indian innings and played a central role in South Africa’s victory.
Jasprit Bumrah also produced a superb match with the ball, taking five wickets in South Africa’s first innings.
Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 55 was crucial because it came when South Africa were under significant pressure in the second innings.
For India, Washington Sundar was the top scorer in the final innings with 31, while Ravindra Jadeja contributed strongly with both bat and ball.
| Player | Team | Key Performance |
| Simon Harmer | South Africa | 4/30 and 4/21 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 5/27 |
| Temba Bavuma | South Africa | 55* |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | 27 & 18; 4/50 |
| Washington Sundar | India | 29 & 31 |
| Corbin Bosch | South Africa | 3 & 25; useful bowling |
Key Moments of the Match
Bumrah’s Five-Wicket Haul
Jasprit Bumrah produced the best bowling figures of South Africa’s first innings. His 5/27 restricted the visitors to 159 and gave India a valuable opportunity to take control.
India’s 30-Run First-Innings Lead
India reached 189 and secured a 30-run advantage. With the surface becoming more difficult, that lead initially appeared significant.
Harmer’s First Four-Wicket Spell
Simon Harmer took 4/30 as South Africa bowled India out for 189. His accuracy and ability to extract turn made scoring difficult.
Bavuma’s Unbeaten 55
Temba Bavuma’s 55 not out became a critical contribution. South Africa had fallen to seven wickets down before Bavuma helped push the total to 153.
Jadeja’s Four Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja claimed 4/50 in South Africa’s second innings, keeping India’s target within reach.
India’s Collapse to 93
India began the final chase needing only 124 but lost wickets at regular intervals. Washington Sundar’s 31 and Axar Patel’s 26 were not enough.
Harmer Finishes the Chase
Harmer took four wickets in the fourth innings and finished with match figures of 8/51. His spell helped South Africa bowl India out for 93 and secure a 30-run victory.
Partnership Analysis
The match was dominated by bowling rather than long batting partnerships.
South Africa’s first innings produced no century partnership, while India’s first innings also struggled to establish a large stand.
The most important batting contribution came from Temba Bavuma in the second innings. His unbeaten 55 provided the stability South Africa needed after India’s spinners had reduced the visitors to seven wickets down.
| Partnership or Contribution | Runs | Team |
| Markram & Rickelton | 57 | South Africa |
| Rahul’s first-innings contribution | 39 | India |
| Bavuma’s unbeaten innings | 55* | South Africa |
| Bosch’s second-innings contribution | 25 | South Africa |
| Sundar’s fourth-innings innings | 31 | India |
Four-Innings Scorecard Summary
The final scorecard highlights just how closely contested the match was.
South Africa scored 159 and 153 for a combined 312. India scored 189 and 93 for a combined 282.
The difference between the two teams across the entire match was only 30 runs, exactly matching South Africa’s winning margin.
| Innings | Team | Score | Overs |
| 1st | South Africa | 159 all out | 55 |
| 2nd | India | 189 all out | 62.2 |
| 3rd | South Africa | 153 all out | 54 |
| 4th | India | 93 all out | 35 |
Match-Changing Statistics
South Africa’s ability to take 20 Indian wickets was the most important statistical factor.
India scored 189 in their first innings but managed only 93 in the second. The 96-run difference between India’s two innings shows the extent of South Africa’s bowling dominance during the final chase.
Simon Harmer finished with eight wickets in the match. Jasprit Bumrah took five in South Africa’s first innings, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed four in the second.
| Statistic | South Africa | India |
| First Innings | 159 | 189 |
| Second Innings | 153 | 93 |
| Match Total | 312 | 282 |
| Highest Individual Score | Bavuma 55* | Sundar 31 |
| Best Bowling | Harmer 4/30 & 4/21 | Bumrah 5/27 |
| Result | Won by 30 runs | Lost by 30 runs |
Player of the Match
Simon Harmer was named Player of the Match after producing a decisive all-round bowling performance.
He first took 4/30 in India’s opening innings and then returned figures of 4/21 in the final innings. His combined match figures of 8/51 were central to South Africa’s victory.
Harmer’s control was especially important during India’s fourth-innings chase. He conceded only 21 runs in 14 overs while taking four wickets.
Result and Series Position
South Africa defeated India by 30 runs at Eden Gardens.
The victory gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the two-Test Freedom Trophy series. The result was particularly significant because India had taken a first-innings lead of 30 runs but could not convert it into a match victory.
South Africa’s second-innings recovery and India’s collapse during the chase decided the contest.
| Result Category | Details |
| Winner | South Africa |
| Winning Margin | 30 runs |
| Target | 124 |
| India Final Score | 93 all out |
| Player of the Match | Simon Harmer |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Series Position | South Africa led 1-0 |
Conclusion
The first Test between South Africa and India at Eden Gardens was decided by disciplined bowling and a remarkable fourth-innings collapse.
South Africa were dismissed for 159 in the first innings, but India could only establish a 30-run lead after scoring 189. South Africa then fought back with 153, led by Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 55.
India needed 124 to win but were bowled out for 93. Simon Harmer was the central figure, taking four wickets in both Indian innings. Jasprit Bumrah had earlier claimed 5/27, while Ravindra Jadeja took 4/50 in South Africa’s second innings.
South Africa’s 30-run victory gave them a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series and made the Kolkata Test one of the most tightly contested matches of the 2025 Freedom Trophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the South Africa vs India 1st Test scorecard?
South Africa scored 159 and 153, while India scored 189 and 93. South Africa won by 30 runs.
2. Who was Player of the Match?
Simon Harmer was named Player of the Match after taking 4/30 in India’s first innings and 4/21 in the second innings.
3. Who scored the highest individual score in the match?
Temba Bavuma scored the highest individual innings with an unbeaten 55 in South Africa’s second innings.
4. What was Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling figure?
Jasprit Bumrah took 5/27 from 14 overs in South Africa’s first innings.
5. What was India’s target in the fourth innings?
India needed 124 runs to win, but South Africa bowled them out for 93, winning the Test by 30 runs.
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