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The Indian men’s team bounced back strongly from last year’s disappointing home series loss to New Zealand, following it up with a dominant 2-0 Test series victory over the West Indies last month. However, the challenge intensifies as India looks to establish a new streak of home dominance under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
Their next visitors are the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, touring India for the first time since 2019 and looking to continue their impressive form in 2025. The clash promises to be a tightly contested battle between two well-matched sides at Kolkata, a venue long considered the heart of Indian Test cricket, yet hosting a Test match after a six-year hiatus.
Both teams will have plenty to plan for on a surface that appears set to provide an entertaining contest, offering plenty of opportunities for batters and bowlers alike.
The live telecast will be available on Star Sports Network while the live streaming will be available on JioHotstar app and website.
INDIA: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel
SOUTH AFRICA: Temba Bavuma (C), Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram
South African skipper Temba Bavuma opted to bat first in the opening Test against India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Friday. The visitors, however, suffered a blow as their frontline pacer Kagiso Rabada was ruled out with a rib injury.
Jasprit Bumrah has brought two crucial breakthroughs for India. The pacer has successfully dismissed South Africa's opening duo - Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton.
Jasprit Bumrah gets the breakthrough, dismisses Ryan Rickelton.
Boundaries are flowing and runs are coming in fast. South Africa has already reached 40 for no loss and the momentum seems steady.
Markram opens his account with a Four and then smashes it again. Siraj’s rhythm seems to be lost and South Africa batters are all set now.
The Proteas are trying to build in a strong partnership. While the Indian bowlers are looking for a breakthrough.
Jasprit Bumrah started India’s bowling with an energetic first over, immediately putting the batsmen under pressure. Aiden Markram was tested from the very first ball, struggling with the bounce and movement as Bumrah hit his stride early. The only runs off the over came via byes, when one delivery kept low and slipped past a diving Rishabh Pant to reach the boundary.
Markram weathered the challenging start, playing cautiously and leaving balls outside off-stump, while Ryan Rickelton has yet to face a delivery. India have made a disciplined start, but South Africa have begun their innings without losing a wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are attacking strongly from both the ends. The duo are trying to find an early breakthrough.
Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton open and Jasprit Bumrah starts with new ball.
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma(c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne(w), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa wins the toss, opts to bat first.
In terms of overall Test encounters, South Africa hold a slight advantage over India. Out of 44 matches between the two sides, the Proteas have claimed 18 victories, while India has won 16, and 10 games have ended in draws. On Indian soil, however, the hosts have historically had the upper hand, winning 11 of the 19 Tests played there, losing five, with three matches drawn. Interestingly, South Africa have been unable to secure a Test win in India since 2010—a streak the current World Test Champions will be keen to end in this series.
The toss will be held at 9:00 AM IST and the match will be starting at 9:30 AM IST.
The visitors come to Kolkata buoyed by a strong sense of belief after a 1-1 draw in Pakistan, even in the absence of captain Temba Bavuma. South Africa’s spinners—Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy—took 35 of the 39 wickets in that series, comfortably outshining Pakistan’s slow bowlers. This shift in approach has not gone unnoticed, and India’s support staff are taking it very seriously ahead of the opening Test.
Hello and welcome to the live blog of first Test between India and South Africa. India enter the first Test against South Africa fully aware of where the key battles are likely to be. Despite the emergence of a young, confident lineup, the memory of last year’s collapse against New Zealand’s spin attack still lingers - three Tests, 36 wickets shared among Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips, and a 0-3 home series loss. That humbling experience remains in the background as India prepares to face a South African team that has now made spin its central strength.
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