Published on: Nov 13, 2025 12:52 pm IST | Updated on: Nov 21, 2025 2:02 pm IST
The reigning World Test Champions, South Africa, are in India in a quest to win a Test series on Indian soil after 26 long years. The Proteas will be playing a 2-match Test series, followed by 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is. First up are the Test matches, and we are all thrilled for the next two weeks in anticipation of what will happen. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 1st Test Match IND vs SA at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
These are two quality sides all set to lock horns over the course of a month or so across formats. India, playing at home, will start as the favorites. They are heading into this contest on the back of a home Test series win over the West Indies, whereas the Proteas managed to draw level in their recently concluded away series against Pakistan. Both teams are heading into this contest with confidence sky-high; therefore, expect a riveting contest at the Eden Gardens. Playing at home, India will have a slight edge, and the win probability meter should favor them. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 1st Test Match, IND vs WI at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
IND: 62% win chance SA: 38% win chance
Senior pro KL Rahul will be up against the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. The right-hander has been in scintillating form, having scored 587 runs from the last 10 Tests at an average of 50.
The wicket-keeper batter is back in the eleven from an injury and will reprise his unorthodox style of batting in the middle overs. He is averaging 50 plus in his last 10 Tests.
In the past few series at home, Indian batters have struggled against left-arm spinners. Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel are prime examples of that. Maharaj has been in scintillating touch after a 7-fer in his last played Test match against Pakistan.
The Proteas skipper has never lost a Test match in his leadership. With the bat, he has been in exceptional form as he has scored 606 runs in his last 5 matches at a scintillating average of 67.33.
Check out our prediction for the IND vs SA 1st Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
South Africa are the World Test Champions, but playing red ball cricket in the subcontinent for the visiting side is always a different ball game altogether. India has been quite dominant at home in recent times, barring that infamous whitewash New Zealand secured over them last year.
India’s post-Ashwin, Kohli, and Rohit era in red-ball cricket began with a 2-2 series draw in England. They gained confidence from there to secure a 2-0 series win over the out-of-sorts Caribbean team at home. This series, however, will be a big challenge for Shubman Gill and his men. South Africa has always been a good travelling side when it comes to Test cricket, and Team India should come with their A-game to unsettle South Africa.
The Indian team has all the weapons in their armory, from good batters to quality spinners and pacers. Shubman Gill and Co. will be up for the challenge and expect quality cricket from the two sides across the Test series.
For the visitors, it is crucial to start well in India. They are heading into this series on the back of securing a win in Pakistan and drawing level in that 2-match Test series. That win in Rawalpindi over Pakistan must have infused a lot of confidence in Temba Bavuma and his men, and they would like to translate the same here in India.
South Africa’s last Test series win in India came in 1999 when the visitors pummeled India 2-0 and secured a whitewash. Something similar is what the Proteas would be hoping to do this time around against a team that’s under a new skipper, Shubman Gill.
The Proteas have some quality players in their lineup. The likes of Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Simon Harmer, and Marco Jansen—all these are proven match winners and will be the architects if they manage to humble India in their own backyard. Expect a quality battle between the two sides in the entire series. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 44 SA won: 18 IND won: 16 Draw: 10 RECENT form SOUTH AFRICA: W W W L W RECENT form INDIA: L D W W W
There’s not much to separate the two sides in head-to-head battles. In the 44 matches played between the two sides, South Africa has a slight upper hand, winning 18 contests, whereas India has won 16. Ten matches between the two sides ended in a draw.
How will the two teams, i.e., India and South Africa, fare in the first Test? Let’s take a look.
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (C), Zubayr Hamza, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder/Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata:
With early morning moisture and swing on offer, the captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first. Seamers could extract movement in the first session, making batting tricky. However, batting last might be challenging too, so expect a tactical toss call based on team strengths and pitch read.
The online live streaming of the 1st Test match of the South Africa tour of India will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on the Star Sports 1, 2, and 3 channels.
India holds the edge at Eden Gardens with a balanced squad and home advantage. Their spinners could dominate from Day 3, while pacers exploit early movement. South Africa’s resilience may stretch the contest, but India’s depth and familiarity with conditions make them strong favorites to clinch the 1st Test. Therefore, as per our prediction, the hosts, Team India, is expected to win the IND vs SA 1st Test match.