South Africa made a brisk start after choosing to bat in the first Test against India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Friday. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram looked fluent early on, smashing eight fours and a six between them to race to 57/0 within the first ten overs.
But Jasprit Bumrah soon dragged India back into the contest, striking twice in successive overs to remove both openers and shift the momentum. The visitors never fully recovered, slipping to 146/6 by the second session despite promising starts from Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi.
Mohammed Siraj, who began the match a bit off rhythm, bounced back strongly. He trapped Kyle Verreyne lbw with the first ball of his 10th over, bringing Marco Jansen to the crease. Siraj welcomed the tall all-rounder with a couple of sharp bouncers before delivering a length ball around off stump.
— Robinson (@Robinson966715) November 14, 2025
The delivery nipped under Jansen’s bat and deflected toward the stumps as he searched for it uncertainly. Just in time, Jansen located the ball and instinctively kicked it away from the wickets with his right foot, saving himself from being bowled in bizarre fashion.
Siraj, thinking he had picked up another wicket, stood grinning with his hands on his head as Jansen survived thanks to his quick football-like reflexes. Twitter erupted in amusement and admiration for Jansen’s soccer skills—which bought him only a momentary reprieve, as Siraj bowled him out with the very next ball.