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In a match for the ages, South Africa defied the odds at the treacherous Eden Gardens, clinching a sensational victory against India fueled by standout performances from Temba Bavuma, Simon Harmer, and Marco Jansen. The Proteas shattered their “chokers” tag with a display of grit, outplaying the hosts in a high-stakes ODI thriller.
Eden Gardens‘ Treacherous Pitch Tests Both Sides
The iconic Kolkata venue lived up to its reputation as a graveyard for visiting teams, offering sharp turn, uneven bounce, and relentless challenges. India posted 296/8 in their 50 overs, powered by KL Rahul’s gritty 67 and Ravindra Jadeja’s late fireworks (42* off 29). Yet, the total seemed below par given the pitch’s demons.
South Africa’s chase started poorly, with Bumrah and Shami reducing them to 55/2. Enter Temba Bavuma: the skipper played a captain’s knock—89 off 112 balls—absorbing pressure and anchoring the innings with surgical precision. His ability to rotate strike and target loose deliveries kept the Proteas alive despite collapsing to 188/6.
Harmer & Jansen: The Unlikely Match-Winners
With victory slipping away, Simon Harmer (47 off 53) and Marco Jansen (38 off 24) staged a jaw-dropping 78-run partnership. Harmer, an off-spinner playing just his second ODI, batted like a seasoned pro, while Jansen unleashed a savage assault, crushing three sixes to seal the win with seven balls left.
India’s Costly Mistakes
- Dropped catch: Shreyas Iyer spilled Jansen (12*) at a critical juncture.
- Spin struggles: Kuldeep and Jadeja conceded 104 runs in 16 overs.
- Death bowling woes: Bumrah and Shami’s economy soared past 6.5 in the last 10 overs.
Rohit Sharma admitted post-match: “We let it slip. Credit to South Africa—they outplayed us under pressure.”
Series Implications & Takeaways
- For South Africa: A statement win showcasing Bavuma’s leadership and depth in batting.
- For India: A wake-up call for bowling tactics ahead of the World Cup.
Final Verdict
Eden Gardens delivered another classic, but this time, South Africa emerged as the heroes. Bavuma’s calm, Harmer’s poise, and Jansen’s power combined to script a win that will resonate for years.
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