NEW DELHI: Mohammed Siraj’s brilliant double strike added to South Africa’s woes as India tightened their grip on the opening Test, reducing the visitors to 154 for eight at tea on day one at Eden Gardens.

Having conceded 34 runs in his first six overs, Siraj toiled relentlessly and finally broke the lower middle order with a stunning double-wicket burst in his 10th over, removing Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the space of four balls.

Verreynne (16), who had been dropped twice in the 34th over, was undone when the ball struck his pad and then his bat as he tried to defend towards mid-off. South Africa used their final review unsuccessfully. Jansen (0) was beaten by a length delivery that reversed in the air, pitched around off, and darted back sharply to hit the stumps.

At the stroke of tea, Axar Patel opened his account by trapping Corbin Bosch (3) leg before wicket, as India looked poised to bat on the opening day despite Shubman Gill losing yet another toss.

Mulder and de Zorzi attempt resistance

The session began with Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah continuing from where they had left off. The left-arm spinner troubled the batters with drift, dip, and subtle variations in length, keeping South Africa under constant scrutiny.

After early wickets of Temba Bavuma and the openers, Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi tried to steady the innings. Mulder applied himself for over 50 balls and looked compact against India’s four-pronged spin attack but lost focus 15 minutes into the second session. Attempting a reverse sweep against Kuldeep, he missed completely and was trapped lbw.

India struck again in the third over after lunch as Bumrah returned following a probing first spell of 7-4-9-2 to remove the in-form de Zorzi (24).

Earlier in the morning session, Bumrah had showcased his mastery with two unplayable deliveries to dismiss the openers, Aiden Markram (31) and Ryan Rickelton (23), after South Africa raced to 57 for no loss in 10 overs. Kuldeep then removed Bavuma (3) as India seized control before lunch and tightened the noose further by tea.

(With PTI Inputs)