Overview
- The two-Test series begins November 14 at Eden Gardens and concludes November 22 in Guwahati, with Shubman Gill leading India in the new WTC cycle.
- Rishabh Pant is expected to return as wicketkeeper-batter, while Dhruv Jurel’s twin India A centuries keep him in contention as India completed optional training in Kolkata with Gill, Bumrah and Jaiswal among those involved.
- Pitch talk intensified after CAB president Sourav Ganguly said no request was made for a rank turner, with Keshav Maharaj expecting more traditional surfaces and South Africa coach Shukri Conrad noting potential morning swing in Kolkata.
- South Africa arrive confident in a spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy after a productive Pakistan tour, with Maharaj saying there is real hunger to win in India.
- India’s XI remains a hot topic, with pundit Abhishek Nayar advocating a pace-heavy attack that could omit Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar, while other projections keep Bumrah and Siraj leading alongside multiple spinners in a short series where early momentum is prized.