Jasprit Bumrah says patience was key after he played a starring role in the opening day of India's first Test with South Africa.

The 31-year-old recorded figures of 5-27 for the 16th five-wicket haul of his Test career, moving him joint-fifth with Bhagwath Chandrasekhar on his nation's all-time list.

His performance at the crease was instrumental as South Africa were dismissed for 159 at Eden Gardens, where the Men In Blue trail by 122 runs heading into day two.

"Patience is the first lesson of Test cricket," Bumrah said. "You need patience if you want success in Test cricket.

"This is a ground where the outfield is very quick, and the wicket is hard. If you get too desperate or try to bowl magic balls, runs flow very quickly.

"You have to control that temptation, build pressure, and see what the tough run-scoring options are. Every ball won't [seam or bounce unusually]. Some balls will, and if you bowl in good areas continuously, there is a chance you will get wickets."

𝘽𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙯

Jasprit Bumrah was on a roll at the Eden Gardens

Watch his outstanding spellhttps://t.co/If1vSkt7ec#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/01QZZn3d0w

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 14, 2025

South Africa looked set for a good score after a first-wicket stand of 57, but the Proteas would go on to record their lowest ever first-innings tally against India.

"The signs were there pretty early on that the bounce is not consistent," added South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince.

"Quite often you expect that when batters get to 20 or 30, they grow in confidence, but I don't particularly believe that any of the batters grew in confidence because of the inconsistency of the bounce.

"What can happen then is that you don't trust the surface as much as you should."

"It was a sensational bowling display, particularly from Bumrah. He looked really comfortable, and then one just bounces off a length, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it."