Gill Injured… India Destroyed! What Went Wrong for India against South Africa in Eden Gardens | IND vs SA 1st Test 2025

South Africa defeated India in the first test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata by 30 runs. This match exposed some of India's weaknesses and wrong decisions taken during or before the match. With this victory, South Africa jumps to the second position in the latest ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 Points Table whereas India slips to the fourth spot.

India is slowly losing its chance to get into the ICC WTC 2027 Final as it failed to qualify for the WTC 2025 Final. Shubman Gill was forced to retire hurt with a neck injury on Day 2 of this test match. India fails to chase the target of just 124 runs, which raises questions about their batting, the pitch, and their preparations.

This loss is even more significant because both teams are fighting for the second spot in the ICC WTC Points Table. India drew 2-2 in England earlier in this year and defeated West Indies by 2-0 at home. On the other hand, South Africa are the defending champions, and they had a 1-1 draw against Pakistan last month.

Eden Gardens Pitch Shocked Everyone:

Many experts questioned the selection of Pitch at Eden Gardens. From Day 1, the pitch had an uneven bounce, sharp turn, and help for both seamers and spinners; it was a very difficult pitch to bat on. South Africa’s Skipper, Temba Bavuma, was the only batter to score a half-century in this match.

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Poor Batting by India in the 2nd Inning:

India’s first innings was also not good, but they seemed quite in control; all the players played terrible cricket in the second innings. Washington Sunder was the only player who stood quite long and showed some cricketing skills, while others kept giving their wickets.

Shubman Gill Retired Hurt:

During India's first inning, Shubman Gill retired hurt due to a sudden neck spasm therefore Indian team had to play only with 10 batters. Both the top-order and middle-order failed against the South African bowlers. Washington Sunder tried to fight  but got out by scoring 31 runs.

Quality Bowling from South Africa:

South Africa came up with a strategy, and they also used the conditions perfectly to defeat India on their home soil. Marco Jansen got some early wickets, and then Simon Harmer took the charge and dismantled India’s middle order by taking 4 wickets (Pant, Jadeja, Jurel, and Kuldeep).

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