IND vs SA 1^st Test Match Preview

Gill’s India Face Bavuma’s Proteas in WTC Opener Kolkata, November 14, 2025 – The iconic Eden Gardens roars back to life for Test cricket after a six-year hiatus as India host South Africa in the opening clash of their two-match series, kicking off the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Under the floodlights of this historic coliseum, Shubman Gill’s young Indian side—fresh from a 3-0 sweep against Bangladesh—collides with Temba Bavuma’s battle-hardened Proteas, who drew 0-0 in a gritty home series against Pakistan. This India vs South Africa 1st Test isn’t just a bilateral affair; it’s a WTC statement, with both teams eyeing early points in the race for Lord’s 2027. Will India’s spin wizardry unravel SA’s resilient batting, or can Kagiso Rabada’s fire tilt the scales? As Kolkata’s faithful pack the stands, expect a tactical chess match blending seam swing and turning tracks.Eden Gardens, with its rich lore—from Kapil Dev’s 1983 heroics to Ashwin’s 7/59 in 2019—sets a grand stage. The series opener (November 14-18) could define trajectories: India, unbeaten at home in Tests since 2019, seek to extend their fortress; South Africa, WTC finalists in 2023, aim to end a decade-long winless streak in India (0-7 since 2010)

.Match Details: Timing, Toss, and Broadcast Essentials Date and Schedule:

Friday, November 14 to Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Daily play from 9:30 AM IST (4:00 AM GMT, 8:30 PM AEDT previous day), with sessions: 9:30 AM-11:30 AM (Lunch), 12:10 PM-2:10 PM (Tea), 2:30 PM-5:30 PM IST. The second Test follows November 22-26 at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.

Toss Prediction:IND vs SA 1^st Test Match

Bat first—Eden’s history (60% wins for teams setting targets) favors early runs before spin bites. Gill or Bavuma winning the flip could dictate the narrative.

Broadcast and Streaming: IND vs SA 1^st Test Match

In India, catch it live on Star Sports 1/2 HD (English/Hindi) and Disney+ Hotstar (subscription from ₹299/month). UK: TNT Sports; USA: Willow TV (Sling); Australia: Fox Cricket/Kayo. Global fallback: ICC.tv or FanCode. Ball-by-ball on ESPNcricinfo/Cricbuzz apps.

Umpires: Nitin Menon and Paul Reiffel; TV: Chris Gaffaney.

Weather Forecast: IND vs SA 1^st Test Match

Sunny Skies with Hazy Interruptions?Kolkata’s late-monsoon transition promises mostly clear, sunny conditions—ideal for uninterrupted cricket. Daytime highs of 28-30°C (82-86°F), cooling to 18-20°C (64-68°F) evenings, with 60-70% humidity and light 10-15 km/h winds. Hazy air quality (AQI 150-200, unhealthy for sensitive groups) persists, but no rain threats (10% chance max)—a full five days likely, per IMD forecasts. Dew could aid nightwatchmen under lights, but overall, it’s batter-friendly warmth.

Pitch Report:IND vs SA 1^st Test Match

Balanced Beauty with Spin in StoreEden Gardens’ curator promises a “sporting wicket”—not the rank turner of yore, but a balanced surface offering seam bounce early (true carry, 8-10m for swing) before cracking for spinners Days 3-5. Average 1st-innings score: 370-380; last Test (2019 vs Bangladesh) saw 500+ runs on Day 1 alone. Sourav Ganguly’s assurance: “It’ll play well, spin later.” Expect 3-4 wickets per innings for pacers (Bumrah/Rabada), escalating to 5+ for tweakers (Ashwin/Kuldeep vs Maharaj/Harmer). Par total: 350+ to force a result—draws at 40% here, but WTC pressure demands aggression.Head-to-Head: India’s Home Hegemony vs SA’s Subcontinent StruggleIndia lead 16-10 overall (2 draws), but at Eden: IND 2-0 SA (wins in 1996, 2010). SA’s India woes: 0-7 since 2010, averaging 220/innings. Recent: IND’s 2-1 home win in 2021-22.

Key stat: IND vs SA 1^st Test Match

India’s spinners average 25 wickets/series vs SA here; Proteas’ seamers, 18.

WTC context: Both start at 0 points— a win nets 12, loss 0.

Probable Playing XI: IND vs SA 1^st Test Match

Youth Meets ExperienceIndia blend Gill’s new-era vision with Pant’s flair; SA lean on Bavuma’s grit and Rabada’s venom. No major injuries—dry pitch tips spin (3-2 for IND, 2-1 for SA).

India Probable XI:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj (Bench: Axar Patel, Ashwin, Mukesh Kumar)

• Notes: Sundar edges Ashwin for batting depth; Jurel as concussion sub potential.

South Africa Probable XI:

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs/Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch/Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada (Bench: Zubayr Hamza, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi)

• Notes: Spin duo Harmer-Maharaj for turning track; Bosch over Jansen for bounce.

Fantasy Tip: Captain Bumrah (wickets galore) or Gill (home ton machine).Key Players: Form Guides and FlashpointsIndia’s Igniters

• Shubman Gill (c): 2025: 450+ runs (avg 55); first home Test as skipper—his 91 vs BAN screams poise. Eden’s straight boundaries suit his drives.
• Jasprit Bumrah: Wicket machine (30+ scalps 2025, avg 18); his 145kph yorkers dismantled SA in 2021. Early swing his domain.
• Rishabh Pant (wk): Post-comeback fire (SR 85, 300 runs YTD); glovework + counter-attacks vs spin could unhinge SA.
• Kuldeep Yadav: Wrist-spin resurgence (20 wkts 2025, econ 3.5); Eden’s turn favors his googlies—watch vs Markram.

South Africa’s Sentinels

• Temba Bavuma (c): Resilient (avg 48 2025, 2 tons); leads from front, but subcontinent struggles (avg 25 in IND). Eden redemption?
• Kagiso Rabada: Pace thunder (28 wkts 2025, SR 40 balls); his bounce troubled IND in Centurion 2021—key vs Jaiswal.
• Keshav Maharaj: Spin sage (22 wkts 2025, econ 3.1); left-arm darts on turning tracks—duel with Jadeja pivotal.
• Aiden Markram: Top-order talisman (400 runs 2025, avg 50); his sweeps vs spin could blunt Kuldeep.

Prediction: IND vs SA 1^st Test Match

India to Grind Out a 1-Wicket Thriller (70% Win Probability)if Rabada swings early, SA chase 200 for upset. WTC fireworks await.The Eden cauldron beckons—will India fortify their empire, or SA shatter the myth? Tune in Friday. Predictions? Drop below.