India face South Africa in 1st Test today

FE Team | Published: November 13, 2025 22:13:41

KOLKATA, Nov 13 (AFP): Shubman Gill's India will look to extend their Test domination at home when a two-match series begins against world champions South Africa on Friday in Kolkata.
India's recent 2-0 sweep of West Indies took them past South Africa to be the third-most successful team at home in Test cricket.
They have 122 wins in the five-day format in India, behind only Australia, who have 262 home wins and England who have 241.
India's excellent home run suffered a setback last year when New Zealand achieved a rare 3-0 Test sweep on Indian soil.
The hosts bounced back in style against the West Indies last month with a 2-0 victory in Gill's first home assignment as Test captain.
That followed a 2-2 draw in the five-Test series in England, Gill's first in charge.
South Africa beat Australia to win the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's in June and recently drew 1-1 in Pakistan.
They will be no pushovers under captain Temba Bavuma despite many of their players making their debuts in India.
The pitch at Kolkata's famous stadium is expected to aid reverse swing but become slower as the match progresses.
India have been boosted by the return of livewire wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh
India captain Shubman Gill said on Thursday fast bowlers could play a key role in the opening Test against South Africa, although spinners usually have the final say in home conditions.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the lineup, India will be counting on their ability to exploit reverse swing.
"I think generally fast bowlers get a little help in the morning and evening," Gill told reporters on the eve of the two-match series.
"Whenever we play in India, more or less the spinners decide the game.
"The better the quality of the spin attack you have, the better chances you have of winning the match," he said.
The visitors will feature several players, including Bavuma, who warmed up for the series by playing for South Africa A last week when they beat India A by five wickets.
Bavuma, who has captained South Africa in 10 Tests -- winning nine and drawing one -- missed the tour of Pakistan, where Aiden Markram stood in as captain.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma on Thursday said that the world champions are battle-ready to achieve their long-cherished ambition of winning a Test series in India.