South Africa beats India by 30 runs in first cricket test, leads two-match series 1-0

KOLKATA, India (AP) — 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).

India was a batter short as skipper Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck spasm whilst batting on day two, was subsequently hospitalized for observation and care on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the BCCI said that Gill would take no further part in the test. There is no word yet on his availability for the second test.

At lunch, India was down to 10-2 and effectively 10-3 in Gill’s absence.

Jansen struck twice in the brief seven-over session before lunch, removing both openers. Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught behind for a four-ball duck. Then Lokesh Rahul was caught behind for one.

Post lunch, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar notched up 32 off 77 balls for the third wicket.

Jurel scored 13 off 34 balls, hitting three fours. He looked to attack but holed out in the deep off Harmer in the 15th over.

Harmer then delivered the biggest blow five overs later – Rishabh Pant, struggling for rhythm, offered a simple return catch and was dismissed for two runs.

Ravindra Jadeja scored 18 and put on 26 off 45 balls, before he was out lbw to Harmer once again. It was Harmer’s fourth four-wicket haul in tests in India.

Sundar battled for 92 deliveries and scored 31 runs, with only two fours, and his dismissal was the turning point. South Africa gambled with Aiden Markram’s part-time spin as Sundar was caught at slip in the 31st over.

Axar Patel hit two sixes as he raced to 26 off 17 balls, but Maharaj struck twice in the 35th over to seal a famous win for South Africa.

Patel holed out to a brilliant running catch from Temba Bavuma, and then Mohammed Siraj was caught first ball at slip, as India succumbed at home to spin once again.

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 was bowled out for 153 runs in its second innings. It added 60 vital runs to its 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.

The skipper added 44 off 79 balls with Corbin Bosch for the eighth wicket.

This partnership frustrated India as it missed a trick in not deploying its pacers first up. Bosch scored 25 off 37 balls, with two fours and one six, adding 24 more runs Sunday.

Bavuma brought up his 50 off 122 balls, as South Africa scored 51-1 in the first hour of play.

Jasprit Bumrah finally got the breakthrough, bowling Bosch in the 48th over. Mohammed Siraj then struck twice in the 54th over to end the Proteas’ innings.

On Saturday, 15 wickets fell on day two as India scored 189 runs in reply to South Africa’s first innings’ 159.

This is the first test at Kolkata’s historic Eden Gardens since 2019. South Africa has not won a test in India in 15 years and it last won a test series on Indian soil in 2000-01.

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.

Last October, India lost 3-0 to New Zealand – a first home test series defeat since 2012 on similar spin-friendly pitches. It ushered in a transition that resulted in the retirements of senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.

India has now lost four of its last six home tests and must win in Guwahati to salvage this series.

The second test begins on Nov. 22.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

South Africa's Keshav Maharaj, left, celebrates after their win on the third day of the first cricket test match against India in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

India's Washington Sundar reacts as he walks off the field after losing his wicket on the third day of the first cricket test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

South Africa's Simon Harmer, right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of India's Kuldeep Yadav on the third day of the first cricket test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

South Africa players celebrate after their win on the third day of the first cricket test match against India in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

South Africa's Simon Harmer, left, and teammate Keshav Maharaj celebrate after their win on the third day of the first cricket test match against India in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma leaves the field at the end of their second innings on the third day of the first cricket test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates the dismissal of South Africa's Keshav Maharaj, front, on the third day of the first cricket test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal walks off the field after losing his wicket on the third day of the first cricket test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

South Africa's Marco Jansen, right, celebrates the dismissal of India's KL Rahul, left, on the third day of the first cricket test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

India's KL Rahul walks off the field after losing his wicket on the third day of the first cricket test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia delayed on Wednesday the deportation of a Scottish crime boss arrested on the resort island of Bali in connection with large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering.

Steven Lyons, a senior figure in an international crime syndicate who had spent months on the run, would now be deported on Thursday, according to Husnan Handano, a spokesperson for Bali’s immigration office, without giving a reason for the delay.

Lyons, 45, was originally to be sent to Spain via Doha by Qatar Airways on Wednesday evening.

Lyons was detained on Saturday on arrival at Bali’s Ngurah Rai international airport from Singapore, after the immigration system flagged him based on an Interpol Red Notice issued at Spain’s request. A Red Notice is an alert issued by Interpol at the request of a member country for police worldwide to arrest a suspect for extradition.

The alleged leader of the Lyons crime family, he was based in Scotland and was wanted in Spain and Britain. He has been on Spain’s wanted list for about two years, following a murder there in 2024.

Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said his arrest was part of a joint investigation involving Spanish and Scottish police.

Lyons is alleged to have led a transnational criminal network operating out of Scotland that controlled narcotics trafficking routes from Spain to the United Kingdom. His organized crime ring is suspected of using shell companies for money laundering in Europe and the Middle East — including in Spain, Scotland, England, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Turkey.

Prior to his arrest in Bali, police in Scotland and Spain had carried out raids in connection with the case that led to several arrests. Suspects were also detained in Turkey, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

Scottish media have reported that Lyons survived a 2006 shooting in Glasgow that killed his cousin and later moved to Spain before settling in Dubai, in the UAE. Last May, his brother and an associate were shot and killed in a suspected gangland shooting at a beachfront bar in Fuengirola, southern Spain.

Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.

A Scottish man identified as Steven Lyons, who is described as a senior figure in an international crime syndicate, center, is escorted by police officers at the regional police headquarters in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo)

A Scottish man identified as Steven Lyons, who is described as a senior figure in an international crime syndicate, center, is escorted by police officers at the regional police headquarters in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo)