Eden Gardens, usually a carnival of colour, roar and emotion, witnessed an entirely different scene on Sunday. In the first Test against South Africa, Team India suffered a defeat that not only shocked the home crowd but also broke a 15-year streak—their first Test loss to the Proteas on Indian soil in over a decade.

From early morning, Eden was overflowing with fans. Families, friends, flags, chants—everyone arrived with one hope: to celebrate a convincing Indian win. But by the end of the match, that hope faded into a quiet disappointment. A misfiring batting line-up and a lack of sharpness in the bowling attack allowed South Africa to take control far too easily, leaving India struggling to catch up.

What hurt the most wasn’t just the loss—it was the sight of Eden’s die-hard cricket lovers walking out of the stadium in silence. Heads down, faces heavy with frustration, Kolkata’s passionate crowd left with a sadness they hadn’t felt in years. Losing is part of sport, everyone agrees, but a defeat like this—after 15 long years at home—cuts deeper.

Some fans still tried to stay hopeful, saying, “Wins and losses are part of the game, but we want to see the fight.”

Eden Gardens stood witness to a disappointing chapter today, yet Kolkata’s love for cricket remains unshaken. They know—after every dark night of defeat, a new morning always brings fresh dreams of victory.

Photo Source : BCCI website