India vs South Africa Test Match Highlights – November 15, 2025

The first Test of the Freedom Trophy 2025 between India and South Africa kicked off at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on November 14. Day 2 (November 15) saw intense action as India responded to South Africa’s first innings collapse. Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul on Day 1 set the tone, and India began their innings with caution and grit.

📌 Match Summary

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Date: November 14–18, 2025
Series: Freedom Trophy 2025
South Africa 1st Innings: 159 all out
India 1st Innings (Stumps Day 1): 37/1 in 20 overs

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat but were bundled out for just 159, thanks to Bumrah’s fiery spell. India ended Day 1 trailing by 122 runs, with KL Rahul and Washington Sundar at the crease.

🔥 Key Performances

Jasprit Bumrah – 5/27

Bumrah was unplayable on a dry Eden Gardens pitch. His reverse swing and pinpoint accuracy dismantled South Africa’s top order. This was his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests, and arguably one of his most clinical performances at home.

Kuldeep Yadav – 2/36

Kuldeep provided excellent support, spinning through the middle order. His variations kept the batsmen guessing and helped India maintain pressure throughout the innings.

KL Rahul – 13* (Day 1)

Rahul showed patience and composure as India began their reply. Though scoring was slow, his role was crucial in stabilizing the innings after an early wicket.

⭐ Player Ratings – Day 1 & 2

Jasprit Bumrah: 9.5/10 – Match-defining spell, pure brilliance.
Kuldeep Yadav: 8/10 – Controlled spin, key breakthroughs.
Mohammed Siraj: 7.5/10 – Consistent pace and bounce.
KL Rahul: 7/10 – Solid start, needs to convert.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: 5/10 – Early dismissal, missed opportunity.
Marco Jansen (SA): 7/10 – Picked up the only Indian wicket.
Aiden Markram (SA): 6/10 – Top scorer for SA but lacked support.

📣 Fan Reactions & Social Buzz

Social media exploded with praise for Bumrah’s spell. #BumrahMagic and #FreedomTrophy2025 trended across platforms. Fans lauded India’s bowling attack and criticized South Africa’s poor shot selection. Eden Gardens was electric, with chants echoing for the home team throughout the day.

🔍 Tactical Breakdown

India’s decision to play three spinners paid off, with Kuldeep and Jadeja applying pressure from both ends. South Africa’s batting lacked application, and their middle order collapsed under sustained pressure. India’s cautious start with the bat suggests a strategy to build a long innings and take control of the match by Day 3.

📅 What’s Next?

India will look to build a strong first innings lead on Day 3. With Rahul and Sundar at the crease, and Gill, Pant, and Jadeja to follow, the batting depth is promising. South Africa will need early wickets to stay in the game. Expect spin to dominate as the pitch wears down.

India vs South Africa – Match Recap by abtadka