IND vs SA 1st Test Playing 11: Expected Playing XI for Both Teams, Injury Updates

Team India is all set to host the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa, in a 2-match Test series starting from November 14 in the city of joy, i.e., Kolkata. The iconic Eden Gardens will play host to the first Test from 14th to 18th November, followed by the 2nd Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on 22nd November.

South Africa has been one formidable opponent for Team India in the longest format of the game. They have never lost a Test series at home against India and have clean-swept them in the 1999 two-match Test series in their own backyard. That was South Africa’s only series win over India in India, and since then, they have either drawn or lost series. Take a look at South Africa’s tour of India Test series results from the past.

South Africa’s Test Series Record in India

Here’s a detailed table summarizing South Africa’s Test series results on Indian soil since their readmission to international cricket:

Key Highlights:

• South Africa’s only Test series win in India came in 1999–00.
• India has dominated recent encounters, winning the last two home series 3–0.
• The upcoming 2025 series will be South Africa’s first Test tour of India since 2019.

India vs South Africa 1st Test Playing 11 (Expected)

India Expected Playing 11: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj

• KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will form the opening pair.
• For the No. 3 spot, India is still searching for a permanent candidate. Sai Sudharsan has been given a longer run at that crucial position, and he will get the nod ahead of Devdutt Padikkal, at least in the first Test.
• Skipper Shubman Gill will bat at no. 4, followed by the returning Rishabh Pant, who will also take the wicket-keeping gloves.
• Dhruv Jurel should be awarded for his consistency in both the domestic and international circuits in red-ball cricket. He scored a ton in Pant’s absence in the second Test against West Indies and followed it up by twin tons in the India A game against South Africa A, ahead of this series. He should be the perfect candidate to bat at no. 6.
• Jurel will be followed by the spin bowling all-rounder duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
• Kuldeep Yadav will be the premier spinner in the side.
• The experienced duo of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will form a potent new-ball pace attack.

South Africa Expected Playing 11: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (C), Zubayr Hamza, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Wiaan Mulder/Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada

• Senior batter and vice-captain Aiden Markram will form the opening pair with left-hand wicket-keeper batter Ryan Rickelton. The duo last opened together in Test cricket at the World Test Championship 2025 final at Lord’s against Australia.
• With Dewald Brevis too underprepared at the Test level and Tristan Stubbs struggling with form, Tony de Zorzi is the likely candidate to bat at no. 3.
• de Zorzi will be followed by his skipper, Temba Bavuma, who is returning from an injury.
• Zubayr Hamza is the frontrunner to bat at no. 5, although he could have a tough tussle with Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs for that spot.
• At no. 6, wicket-keeper batter Kyle Verreynne will be batting. The right-hander is widely regarded as the best batter against spin bowling in the side. This series will be a litmus test for the wicket-keeper batter.
• South Africa might be tempted to play three spinners. If that is the case, Keshav Maharaj will be the senior pro in the spin bowling department, accompanied by Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy.
• If the Proteas go for an extra seam bowling option, either Corbin Bosch or all-rounder Wiaan Mulder could make it to the eleven, replacing Senuran Muthusamy.
• Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will form the pace bowling attack for the Proteas.