WATCH: Kuldeep Yadav dismisses Temba Bavuma during IND vs SA 1st Test in Kolkata

India came into the two-match Test series against South Africa with a lots of a confidence on the back of their 2-0 whitewash at home against West Indies. The Proteas, on the other hand, was equally boosted on the back of their 1-1 drawn series result against Pakistan. The reigning World Test Champions (WTC), however, had a bigger challenge ahead of them.

Jasprit Bumrah sent back Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram in two overs to end the visitors’ solid opening partnership, which put the home side under pressure early in the clash. Mohammad Siraj looked a bit awkward in his opening spell as the two openers went for several big shots.

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Later in the first session of the clash, Kuldeep Yadav left his mark with the wicket of the opponent’s captain- Tamba Bavuma, who got dismissed for three runs. It was a nicely tossed up delivery from the left-arm wrist spinner as it spun back to the right-handed batter, who was pressing forward in his defense without any clue.

Watch: Kuldeep Yadav foxes Tamba Bavuma for 3 during IND vs SA 1st Test in Kolkata

The ball took the inside edge of Bavuma’s bat and lobbed into the hands of Dhurv Jurel at the leg slip position as India sliced through the top order of the touring side. Suddenly, South Africa found themselves 71/3 in 16 overs. They needed to settled themselves quickly to get themselves back into the clash.

Winning the toss, South Africa’s captain had no hesitation in batting first on a track that would be helpful for the batting department in the first couple of days. They faced a massive challenge in settling the eleven in the absence of Kagiso Rabada, who got ruled out of the game due to a rib injury.

India, however, made an interesting call by going with four spinners in the eleven. Washington Sundar replaced Sai Sudharsan at number three in the eleven with Axar Patel returning into the side along with Rishabh Pant, who recovered from his foot injury and proved his fitness/