India’s Test woes grow as spin-friendly pitches highlight cracks in their home dominance strategy.

South Africa’s confidence and Bavuma’s resilience underscore how India’s confused pitch strategies and uneven mindset are weakening their command over home conditions.

The allure of Test cricket — its unpredictable shifts, tense back-and-forth contests, and the thrill of the unknown — drew nearly 50,000 spectators to Eden Gardens on Sunday.

South Africa entered the third day with a 63-run lead, significant yet fragile in a low-scoring encounter. With three wickets still in hand, the Proteas held the edge, but India, too, had reason to feel a renewed sense of optimism.