India vs South Africa, 1st Test 2025: Match Preview, Probable XI, Eden Gardens Pitch Report & Key Battles
Series Opener: India vs South Africa 1st Test 2025
The wait is over! The South Africa tour of India 2025 kicks off with the 1st Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from November 14, 2025 (9:30 AM IST). With Shubman Gill leading a promising young Indian side and Temba Bavuma captaining the Proteas, expect a fiery start to this much-anticipated two-match series.
This marks the teams’ first Test encounter in Kolkata since 2010, bringing nostalgia and new energy to one of cricket’s most iconic venues.
Match Details
- Fixture: India vs South Africa 1st Test, 2025
- Date & Time: November 14–18, 2025 | 9:30 AM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar
- Live Score: Cricbuzz
India vs South Africa 1st Test Pitch Report & Weather
Pitch Analysis
Eden Gardens offers a true cricketing balance — helpful for seamers in the morning and rewarding for batters as the surface eases out.
- Day 1–2: Pace and carry with slight grass and morning moisture.
- Day 3–4: Spinners enter the game as cracks widen and turn increases.
- Day 5: Variable bounce and rough patches make batting challenging.
Ideal First Innings Score: 370–380
Average Test Score: Around 330
Toss Prediction: Teams likely to bat first to make use of early batting-friendly conditions.
Weather Forecast
Kolkata will enjoy clear skies and mild temperatures (26–31°C) throughout the match. No major rain threat expected.
India vs South Africa 1st Test Playing XIs
India
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Axar Patel
South Africa
- Aiden Markram
- Tony de Zorzi
- Ryan Rickelton
- Temba Bavuma (C)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Dewald Brevis
- Kyle Verreynne (WK)
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Simon Harmer
Key Player Battles to Watch for India vs South Africa 1st Test
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal & Shubman Gill vs Kagiso Rabada
India’s young openers will face a stern early test against Rabada’s pace and swing under morning conditions.
2. Rishabh Pant vs Simon Harmer
Pant’s fearless stroke play against spin will be critical once the track starts turning.
3. Jadeja & Kuldeep vs Bavuma & Brevis
India’s spin duo will look to trap South Africa’s middle order, exploiting rough patches on Days 3 and 4.
4. Jasprit Bumrah vs Ryan Rickelton
Bumrah’s reverse swing late in the innings could decide the match’s balance.
Stats & Insights
- Head-to-Head in Tests (Overall): India lead 17–16 (11 draws)
- In India: India dominate 13–4 since 1991
- At Eden Gardens: India last played a Test in 2019 (vs Bangladesh), winning by an innings
- Best Bowling at Venue: Harbhajan Singh (7/87 vs SA, 2004)
Fantasy & Dream11 Tips
Top Picks:
- Batters: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dewald Brevis
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Marco Jansen
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada, Kuldeep Yadav
- Wicket-Keeper: Rishabh Pant (VC)
Dream11 Captain Choice: Shubman Gill / Ravindra Jadeja
Vice-Captain Choice: Kagiso Rabada / Dewald Brevis
Match Prediction
India enter as favorites on home soil with superior spin depth and familiar conditions. However, South Africa’s pace trio — Rabada, Jansen, and Harmer — could cause early chaos if they strike early.
Prediction: 🇮🇳 India win by 5–7 wickets or an innings margin — if spinners take control by Day 3.
Conclusion
The India vs South Africa 1st Test 2025 at Eden Gardens promises a thrilling mix of pace, spin, and strategy. With both captains seeking to start the series strong, fans can expect five days of gripping red-ball cricket in Kolkata.
Stay tuned for live score updates, highlights, and post-match analysis — as the battle for Test supremacy begins!
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