Overview
- Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, which begins at 9:30 a.m. IST.
- India recalled Rishabh Pant and named four spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav—with Dhruv Jurel retained as a specialist batter and Washington set to bat at No. 3.
- South Africa are without pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada due to a rib injury, with Corbin Bosch coming into the XI alongside spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.
- The Test marks Eden Gardens' first red-ball match since 2019, with broadcasters Star Sports televising in India and JioHotstar streaming the game.
- South Africa’s recent spin success in Pakistan and India’s response with a four-pronged slow-bowling attack frame the series’ tactical focus within the World Test Championship cycle.