The unraveling of India’s home dominance began last year when New Zealand stunned them 3-0, ending a 12-year unbeaten streak.

Conrad’s use of the word “grovel” harkens back to cricket history, reminiscent of England’s Tony Greig.

The World Test champions won the first Test of the two-match series by 30 runs at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

India will not play skipper Shubman Gill in the second Test against South Africa on Saturday if it risks aggravating his neck injury, a team coach said.

It was South Africa's first Test win in India since 2010 and Bavuma led by example.

Chasing 124 for victory, India folded for 93 on a minefield of a pitch.

Spinner Simon Harmer claimed a match haul of eight wickets to lead South Africa to a thrilling 30-run win over India inside three days of a low-scoring opening Test on Sunday.

Fast bowler Marco Jansen ripped out both India openers before lunch Sunday as the hosts stuttered in their chase of 124 to win the first Test after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma's unbeaten 55.

Top-order batsman Gill felt pain in his neck after scoring a boundary on the second day on Saturday in Kolkata and left the field.

South Africa faltered in their second innings as well and were reeling on 93-7 at stumps.

Spinner Simon Harmer took four wickets to lead South Africa's fightback as they bowled out India for 189 after the hosts managed a slender lead of 30 on day two of the opening Test on Saturday.

The Newlands contest lasted 642 balls with India registering a series-levelling victory in the shortest ever test in which there has been a winner, beating Australia's 656-ball victory over South Africa in 1932.

Jasprit Bumrah took six for 61 –- and was denied the wicket of Markram when the batsman, on 71, edged a drive and wicketkeeper KL Rahul could not hold a catch above his head.

After bowling out South Africa for 55, India were dismissed for 153, a lead of 98 runs.

Siraj was superb with his line and length in a nine over spell after South Africa had elected to bat first.

The experienced left-arm spinner would also bolster India’s frail batting that amassed only 376 runs during the innings and 32 run defeat that means the tourists now cannot achieve their major aim – a first Test series win in South Africa.

Captain Rohith Sharma, who was dismissed cheaply in both innings, said India would regroup and come back strongly despite having missed the chance to take the series.

Virat Kohli was the only batsman to test the home attack on the third day, top-scoring with 76 before being the last man out.

Earlier, KL Rahul scored 101 for India – his eighth Test century and his second in successive matches in Centurion.

Rahul, who had made a century at this very venue exactly two years ago in the 2021 Boxing Day Test match, was lauded by Rathour as India's "crisis man" for his pristine touch and strokeplay.