The first match of the Test series between India and South Africa begins today, Friday, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat. This is the first Test at this venue since 2019, when India defeated Bangladesh in the Pink Ball Test. India have included Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, while Sai Sudarshan has missed out.
For the first time in India’s 93-year Test history, six left-handed batsmen are part of the playing XI. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. Shubman Gill becomes the first Indian captain to field a Test XI with six left-handers. India played its first Test match against England at Lord’s in 1932.
India have previously fielded five left-handed batsmen in a Test XI on three occasions, all earlier this year – once against England in Manchester and twice against the West Indies in Ahmedabad and Delhi.
Rishabh Pant is returning to the Indian team in this match. Pant was injured in the Manchester Test against England and had been out of the national team since then. Kuldeep Yadav has also been included in the Test team, while Sai Sudarshan did not find a place in the lineup.
Although pacers taking 61% of the wickets at Eden Gardens over the past 15 years, India has chosen a spin heavy attack with Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar all included in this playing XI.
India’s Playing XI
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’s Playing XI
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
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