NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah showcased his mastery with two unplayable deliveries to dismiss both South African openers, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed the prized wicket of skipper Temba Bavuma. India dominated the first session, reducing South Africa to 105 for 3 in 27 overs at lunch on day one of the opening Test at Eden Gardens.

Opting to bat with an extra all-rounder in Wiaan Mulder, South Africa controlled the early proceedings, racing to 57 for no loss in the first 10 overs. But Bumrah (2/9 in 7 overs) turned the morning on its head, picking up two wickets in five balls across successive overs.

Markram and Rickelton fight back before Lunch

Aiden Markram, after 23 dot balls, finally opened up with a straight drive and a flowing cover drive, punishing Axar Patel twice and playing a deft late cut past backward point. He also sent one high over mid-wicket for a six, pushing the run rate past five an over. At the other end, Ryan Rickelton’s 22 off 23 deliveries added to India’s frustration.

Just as India looked under pressure after Shubman Gill lost yet another toss, Bumrah delivered a 140 kmph length ball that straightened late to uproot Rickelton’s off stump, sending the Eden Gardens crowd roaring. His next over forced Markram (31 off 48; 5x4, 1x6) to glove to Dhruv Jurel, highlighting the pitch’s variable bounce.

Bumrah also beat Bavuma with a thigh-pad strike before India introduced Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner struck in his second over, trapping Bavuma with a smart leg-slip catch from Jurel. India rotated all four spinners before lunch, with Washington Sundar bowling the final over as the pitch continued to show uneven bounce and variable behaviour.

At the break, Mulder (22 off 43) and in-form Tony de Zorzi (15 off 38) were at the crease, both playing their first Tests in India.

Earlier, India made a bold selection under Gautam Gambhir’s think-tank, fielding four spinners for the first time since the 2012 Nagpur Test against England. Axar Patel returned in place of designated No. 3 Sai Sudharsan, who was seen training separately with physio Adrian Le Roux.

South Africa, on the other hand, picked just two spinners, leaving out Senuran Muthusamy. With Kagiso Rabada out due to a rib injury, Marco Jansen and Mumbai Indians pacer Corbin Bosch formed their two-man pace attack.

(With PTI Inputs)