South Africa beat India by 30 runs

KOLKATA, India:

South Africa beat India by 30 runs to win the first cricket Test and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series on Sunday.

It was the Proteas' first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years, as the hosts collapsed to 93 all out in the second innings and failed to chase down the 124-run target at Eden Gardens.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer took 4-21 in 14 overs, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj picked up 2-37. All-rounder Marco Jansen also took 2-15 as the World Test champions completed a remarkable win in less than three days.

It was the second-lowest fourth-innings' target India failed to chase down in Tests - after 120 against West Indies in 1997 (Barbados). It was also the second-lowest total defended by South Africa in Tests - after 117 against Australia in 1994 (Sydney).

Overall, it was the second-lowest total defended on Indian soil in Tests. India had previously defended 107 against Australia in Mumbai (2004).

BATTER SHORT

India were a batter short as skipper Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck spasm while batting on day two, was subsequently hospitalised for observation and care on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said that Gill would take no further part in the Test. There is no word yet on his availability for the second Test.

Harmer was named player of the match for his match haul of 8-51.

"Today the pitch was a little flatter and the ball went softer quickly. We were behind the eight ball, but for the team to fight back the way it did, shows where this group of players is at. It shows what we are capable of and the belief that we have. There is still another Test to go, but we are going to enjoy this win as it doesn't come very often," he said.

Earlier, South Africa were bowled out for 153 runs in their second innings. They added 60 vital runs to their overnight score of 93-7.

Bavuma scored 55 not out off 136 balls - the only half-century of the Test across both sides - as he marshalled the Proteas to a challenging fourth innings' score.

CRITICISM OF PITCH

The Eden Gardens pitch has come in for sharp criticism after the first Test ended within three days.

"I have been coming to Kolkata for a long time and I have never seen a pitch like this at the Eden Gardens," said former India leg spinner Anil Kumble to the host broadcaster JioStar.

"There were definitely demons in the pitch. The batters couldn't trust their defence and they didn't know what to do. Even set batters like Temba Bavuma and Washington Sundar knew the next ball could have their name on it," added former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn.

India coach Gautam Gambhir shrugged off the criticism.

"This is exactly the pitch we wanted and the curator was very helpful. There was nothing wrong with the pitch. We couldn't handle the pressure of the fourth innings' chase and we need to improve," he said in the post-match press conference.