Overview
- India host South Africa from Friday at Eden Gardens after the BCCI moved the Test from New Delhi for air-quality reasons and set earlier start times and reversed breaks for the Nov. 22 Guwahati Test to maximize daylight.
- Both camps expect more traditional wickets that hold up before deteriorating, bringing new-ball pace and later reverse swing into play before spin, as South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj noted.
- South Africa captain Temba Bavuma completed fitness drills in Kolkata and is expected to return to the XI after a calf strain, with team management emphasizing his influence on the batting unit.
- Steve Smith, set to captain Australia in Perth on Nov. 21, said England’s pace-heavy attack could be less effective than seam and swing on current Australian wickets.
- England will play their only warm-up at Lilac Hill in Perth this week, with Ben Stokes saying every squad member will feature as decisions on the No. 3 slot and the pace mix are assessed.