India’s long-standing home dominance finally broke on a surprising afternoon as South Africa wrapped up a rare and historic Test win on Indian soil, their first in more than 15 years under Bavuma. In a match that went between frustration and disbelief, India were bowled out twice, exposing a batting line-up that didn’t settle into the contest till the end.
South Africa’s first innings total of 159 should have been a platform for India to control the match. Instead, the Proteas turned the game on its head with disciplined, relentless bowling. Temba Bavuma’s fighting 55 stood out in the 22nd innings, which was otherwise defined by Indian pressure and the sharp use of strategies.
India’s second outing with the bat tattered far too quickly. From 10/2 at lunch to 38/4 at the drinks break, the collapse felt both sudden and predictable. The dismissals were a mix of poor shot selection, tricky bounce, and ruthless accuracy from the South African seamers, who sensed vulnerability and never let the pressure slip. Washington Sundar fought a little hard, but the support around him faded as India slipped deeper into trouble.
This defeat will sting for more than ever. India has built a fortress at home over the past decade and a half, a period during which visiting teams rarely even threatened, let alone dictated terms. To lose that aura against a side coming off inconsistent performances will raise uncomfortable questions inside the dressing room.
The reasons aren’t hard to trace: a batting order that has struggled for rhythm, an over-dependence on moments of individual skills, and a bowling attack that looked seemingly not up to the mark. The decision-making under pressure was equally concerning, especially with multiple unsuccessful reviews adding to the frustration.
South Africa, meanwhile, deserved every bit of the result. They showed composure on a surface that demanded discipline, and their bowlers outperformed India in conditions that traditionally favour the hosts.
With this win against Indian, Temba Bavuma has become the fastest to reach 10 Test wins, achieving it in just 11 matches and hasn’t lost a single Test match as captain.
For India, this isn’t just a one-off defeat. It’s a call that even the strongest home record can collapse if the basics slip. With tougher tournaments ahead, the team will need to find answers quickly because the margin for error is shrinking, and the aura of invincibility at home can return just as quickly as it vanished.
