November 17, 2025 : South Africa captain Temba Bavuma made a pointed assessment after his side secured a sensational 30-run win over India in the first Test at Eden Gardens, saying that his team had “probably” beaten India at their own game — on a pitch that India themselves requested.
The low-scoring Test came to a dramatic end with India being bowled out for just 93 in the fourth innings while chasing 124. The Eden surface, which offered sharp turn and unpredictable bounce, drew pointed criticism and debate — and Bavuma’s post-match comments only added fuel to the fire.
“Yeah, probably true,” Bavuma said, when asked whether South Africa had beaten India at their own game.
He added that the spinner-friendly wickets were exactly what they had expected: “We’ve come here knowing that the wickets are going to be spinner-friendly, similar to what we got in this game.”
Bavuma also described the track as “a bit extreme” — noting that some balls bounced nicely while others “squatted” low, making shot selection particularly tricky.He acknowledged that trusting the surface from a cross-batting perspective was challenging, but insisted that his squad believed in their strategy and stuck to their game plan.
His 55-run innings (not out) was the only fifty of the match and proved crucial in stretching South Africa’s lead and guiding them to the modest target.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer played a pivotal role too, taking eight wickets in the match and largely dictating the game’s course. Bavuma’s calm leadership and smart field placements allowed his bowlers to extract maximum benefit from the surface.
The defeat ended India’s long run at Eden Gardens — their first Test loss there in 13 years. Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant admitted that the pressure mounted, especially as Bavuma and Corbin Bosch built a critical partnership that swung momentum in favor of the visitors.
In response to the debate around the pitch, India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the surface, insisting that it was “exactly what we asked for.” Bavuma’s comments have escalated the pitch-row, spotlighting whether India’s own pitch request worked against them.
For South Africa, this win represents much more than just the first Test of the series — it’s a statement that they can adapt, out-think, and out-play India, even in conditions typically suited to the hosts. For India, the loss is a stark reminder that home advantage can be double-edged if it isn’t translated into execution under pressure.
Summary
Temba Bavuma says South Africa “probably” beat India at their own game in Eden Gardens after a spin-friendly pitch backfired on the hosts, highlighting tactical discipline and adaptability.