South Africa were bowled out for 159 on Day 1 of the 1st Test against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. The breaking news in the morning was that Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the match due to a rib injury that he sustained during training in the build-up to the match.

It was an important toss to win, especially with the lineup the Proteas selected, which was batting heavy.

“The pitch looks on the drier side, not much grass, typical Indian wicket, runs on the board are key.”

The pitch did much more than what was expected, and coupled with good bowling from India, it made things difficult for South Africa. They particularly struggled against early reverse-swing from Jasprit Bumrah.

India made things difficult for the Proteas early on. Bumrah utilised the movement on offer to knock over both Proteas openers, reducing SA to 62-2.

Ryan Rickelton (23) couldn’t keep out a delivery that angled in sharply, beat the outside edge and crashed into off stump. Markram was surprised by the steep bounce, and despite trying to leave, the ball hit the top edge to the keeper after 31.

The early introduction of Kuldeep Yadav saw Bavuma get a low edge that popped to leg-slip.

Not the start South Africa would have wanted as they were reduced to 71-3.

Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder stayed in the fight to take South Africa past 100. They went into lunch on 105-3.

At the start of the second session, India struck again. Mulder (24) looked for a reverse sweep, and Kuldeep trapped him lbw. SA were in trouble now on 114-4.

Tony de Zorzi was then trapped lbw by a perfectly angled in delivery from Bumrah for 24. Both decisions were reviewed by South Africa, and they lost both. SA were now on 120-5.

Verreynne, Jansen and Corbin Bosch lost their wickets in quick succession. South Africa were reduced to 154-8 going into Tea.

It was now up to Tristan Stubbs (15*) to save the Proteas and help them to a respectable total, but he never had the chance.

Bumrah countered this by bowling Simon Harmer (5). The ball kept low and angled in crashing into the stumps. He then finished with 5-27 by trapping Keshav Maharaj lbw with a yorker. South Africa were all out for 159 in 55 overs.

Jansen struck in the 7th over. Yashasvi Jaiswal (12) attempted a cut shot but dragged it onto his middle stump. India lost their first wicket for 18 runs.

India ended on 37-1, trailing by 122.