After six years, the IND vs SA Test 1 will be played on Indian soil. The WTC defending champion will play two stern matches here. The IND vs SA Test series is holding an intensive practice session at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Tuesday.
This match begins a new ICC World Test Championship (2025-27) cycle for both teams. The IND vs SA Test 1 will take place from November 14 to 18. With the series comprising two matches, the opening contest at the historic Eden Gardens carries significant weight.
Under the leadership of captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team worked on their red-ball skills. They prepared for the challenge against the Proteas, setting the stage for an exciting IND vs SA Test series.
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Team India’s Training Focus: Key Players and Preparations
Several important players participated in the Indian team’s optional session, focusing on the switch from white-ball to red-ball cricket.
- Captain Shubman Gill: The skipper engaged in a comprehensive 90-minute net session. Beginning with a strategic discussion with coach Gautam Gambhir. He practiced slip-catching drills and batted extensively, first facing spin from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Then, confronting pace from Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy. His session concluded with throwdowns from bowling coach Morne Morkel, emphasizing adjustment to bounce and pace.
- Batters’ Intensive Nets: Yashasvi Jaiswal, feeling confident from his recent Ranji Trophy scores of 67 and 156, practiced on the central wicket. He skillfully played drives and pulls against Morkel and during throwdowns. Sai Sudharsan, backed by team management for the No. 3 role. Also batted extensively despite a modest India A series, focusing on solidifying his technique.
- Bowling Workload Management: Jasprit Bumrah, the lone pacer at the session, maintained a light workload. He bowled for approximately 15 minutes, focusing on accuracy by targeting the off-stump. Notably, he had light strapping on his right knee but bowled without visible discomfort under the supervision of Gambhir and Morkel.
- Strategic Pitch Assessment: After practice, the team’s think tank, which includes Gambhir, assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, Morkel, and Gill, checked the pitch. They did this with curator Sujan Mukherjee. The surface was brown with light grass. It seemed to be a topic of discussion. However, the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal said no request was made for a “rank turner.”
South Africa’s Preparations and Series Context
The visiting South African team, led by captain Temba Bavuma, also trained on Tuesday after arriving from a 1-1 Test series draw in Pakistan.
Their session heavily focused on countering Indian spinners, recognizing the critical role spin bowling traditionally plays on subcontinental pitches. Bavuma’s return to lead the side since the World Test Championship final in June adds experience to their lineup.
This IND vs SA Test series sees India entering with strong recent form, including a 2-2 draw against England and a 2-0 sweep of the West Indies. South Africa, the reigning ICC World Test Champions, aim to improve their consistency in overseas conditions.
The head-to-head record in Tests adds a competitive edge, with South Africa leading 18 wins to India’s 16 in their 44 previous encounters.
IND vs SA Test Series: Essential Details
IND vs SA Test Schedule:
• 1st Test: November 14-18, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Start time: 9:30 AM IST.
• 2nd Test: November 22-26, 2025, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Start time: 9:00 AM IST .
IND vs SA Test Squad & Live Streaming
India Test Squad: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.
South Africa Test Squad: Temba Bavuma (Captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Dewald Brevis, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Ryan Rickelton (WK), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.
Live Streaming: The IND vs SA Test matches will be streamed live in India on the JioHotstar app and website.
Last Words
At Eden Gardens, the IND vs SA Test series starts with India and South Africa ready for a captivating battle. With meticulous preparations from both sides, the match promises a compelling blend of strategic depth and individual brilliance.
Adaptability, encompassing batting adjustments and pitch strategies, is crucial in this high-stakes World Test Championship competition. With the teams preparing their strategies, the IND vs SA Test 1 in Kolkata is likely to be a high-quality opening to this important red-ball rivalry.
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My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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