๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐
India
South Africa
The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host its first Test in 6 years as India face South Africa in the opening match of the two-Test series starting November 14. The second Test will follow in Guwahati from November 22.
This will be the first time since 2010 that India and South Africa meet at Eden Gardens. In that match, Harbhajan Singhโs 5-wicket haul helped India level the series. The venue last hosted a Test in 2019, when Virat Kohliโs 136 led India to an innings victory over Bangladesh in the countryโs first-ever pink-ball Test. Only Ravindra Jadeja from that playing XI remains in the current Indian squad.
India will look to recover from their 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand last year, while South Africa will aim to maintain their recent upper hand, having won 3 of the last 5 Tests between the two teams. Overall, South Africa has 18 and India 16.
Kuldeep Yadav is likely to take over 3.5 wickets as the Kolkata pitch will assist spin heavily, and SAโs batters have limited experience against quality wrist spin in Indian conditions.
The betting tip is...
Kuldeep Yadav - Over 3.5 wickets
57 %
43 %
IndiaSouth AfricaIndia will field a strong unit for the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. Rishabh Pant will make his return after missing the West Indies series due to a foot fracture.
Akash Deep will replace Prasidh Krishna, while Mohammed Shami, despite his 15 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, will not feature. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul will lead the batting lineup.
Gill has scored 980 runs at an average of 65.33 in his last 9 matches, while Rahul has averaged over 50 in his last 10 games. Yashasvi Jaiswal, with 1,021 runs in his last 23 innings, will be key at the top.
Dhruv Jurel has been in superb domestic form, averaging 58.00. Reverse swing will be crucial, with Siraj and Bumrah leading the pace attack with Kuldeep, Jadeja and Axar handling spin.
Kuldeep, Axar and Gill Jadeja are the key bowlers.
Predicted Lineup: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.
South Africa will enter the first Test under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, who returns as captain for the first time since leading the team to the 2025 WTC title. The squad will see key players Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada return to strengthen the side.
Bavuma will be crucial with the bat, having scored 606 runs in his last 5 matches at an average of 67.33. Wiaan Mulderโs all-round form will be vital, with 715 runs in his last 7 matches at an average of 89.38.
Kyle Verreynne will be important against Indiaโs spinners, while young talents Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs will fight for one spot. Eight South African players will be playing their first Test in India, while only Hamza, Harmer and Muthusamy have prior experience in these conditions.
Maharaj, Muthusamy and Rabada are the key bowlers.
Predicted Lineup: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada.
India will enter this Test aiming to make full use of home conditions, and the pitch at Eden Gardens is expected to offer a sharp turn from Day 2.
With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in support, Kuldeep Yadav will be Indiaโs main weapon against a South African lineup that has limited experience playing in India.
Most of the visiting batters, including Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, will face their first Test in subcontinent conditions, which increases the chances of spinners dominating.
Kuldeepโs recent control and consistency, along with his variations, will make him a serious threat on this surface. Expect Indiaโs spinners to play a decisive role in determining the matchโs outcome.
