Dale Steyn drops a hard verdict on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj after a tense opening day between India and South Africa

The first Test match between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata began on November 14, 2025, under gloomy skies that hinted at swing but actually provided a pitch that favored disciplined fast bowling.

India, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, won the toss and decided to bowl first, a choice that paid off significantly as their pace attack dismantled the Proteas’ batting order. South Africa was bowled out for a mere 159 runs in 55 overs, giving India a solid lead by the end of the day. In their reply, the hosts lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early but ended the day at 37/1, trailing by 122 runs when bad light stopped play.

What Dale Steyn saw in Jasprit Bumrah’s 145 km/h deck-hitting spell that made him unplayable

Dale Steyn, the legendary fast bowler from South Africa with 439 Test wickets to his name, gave a fantastic review of Bumrah during the post-day breakdown on JioStar’s Cricket Live show. As a commentator, Steyn praised Bumrah not only for his wicket count but also for establishing the strategic approach on a subcontinental pitch.

“Bumrah was the blueprint for the day in terms of how bowlers should bowl, not just because of his wickets,” Steyn said on Cricket Live. “If you watch the areas he bowled and how he bowled, that’s exactly how the South Africans should look to bowl. He hit the deck hard, didn’t bowl many half-volleys, targeted the stumps, and gave away very little. That’s the blueprint if you want to be successful on this type of pitch. If you follow that, you get the rewards like he did with his five-wicket haul.”

"Bumrah's craft. Siraj's heart."
Dale Steyn's high praisehttps://t.co/xGIAeYEnhW

— Jose Puliampatta (Prof. Bala) (@JosePuliampatta) November 14, 2025

Steyn pointed out that Bumrah has a mental advantage, highlighting how his reputation makes him even more dangerous, “Bumrah hits you with pace—145, 140 km/h—it’s really quick. He doesn’t give anything away and still picks up wickets. That’s his mastery,” he added on the same show. “His name brings a threat.

In the dressing room, the discussion among batters will be: ‘Let’s see through his spell. Let’s not get out to him. We’ll try to take on the spinners or Siraj if he’s having an off day.’ But every time Bumrah bowls, he manages to pick a wicket or two, and that puts the other bowlers in a position to strike as well. His name gets him wickets, not just the areas he lands the ball in.”

This wasn’t simply flattery; Steyn, who last took five wickets on a home opening day in 2006 against New Zealand, drew comparisons to his own career while highlighting Bumrah as a contemporary example.

Bumrah’s significant strikes included a fierce delivery to Markram that jagged back to trap him lbw and a low full toss to Rickelton that zipped under the bat for 23. His lengths consistently on a solid good length with the pitch’s natural low bounce turning drives into mishits.