The 2-match Check collection between India and South Africa is about to begin this Friday (November 14) on the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The fixture marks the return of the Proteas to India for a Check collection, a venue the place they final toured in 2019 and have been clean-swept 3-0 by the dominant hosts.
South Africa goals to finish decade-long jinx on Indian soil
South Africa faces an uphill battle as they appear to reverse a dismal document, having not gained a Check match on Indian soil since 2010. This lengthy jinx casts a shadow over the guests, who’re eager to show their mettle in subcontinental situations.
The Indian group’s aura of invincibility in house Checks was not too long ago shattered when the Black Caps (New Zealand) accomplished a surprising collection sweep final yr. Nonetheless, beneath the steerage of newly appointed Check captain Shubman Gill, India seems to have recovered shortly. Gill’s facet managed a decent drawn collection in England and not too long ago secured a assured 2-0 home victory against West Indies, suggesting the squad has settled and is prepared for the problem.
For South Africa, captain Temba Bavuma can be demanding resilience from his batting unit in opposition to India’s veteran spin assault. The Proteas, who not too long ago secured a 1-1 attract a difficult collection in Pakistan, will rely closely on their very own spinners to extract efficiency from the Indian pitches, hoping to show their fortunes round.
Kolkata’s famed batting observe
The enduring Eden Gardens is essentially the most skilled Check venue in India, having hosted 39 matches. The floor right here is usually considered one of many nation’s finest batting tracks, promising good totals early on. Nonetheless, as is typical for subcontinent venues, the pitch tends to put on down over time, bringing Indian tweakers into motion because the match progresses.
IND vs SA 2025: Check squads
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal, Akash Deep
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne(w), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Zubayr Hamza, Wiaan Mulder
Additionally READ: IND vs SA – Abhishek Nayar picks Team India’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa
Eden Gardens Check Stats and Data
- Complete Matches: 42
- Matches gained batting first: 12
- Matches gained bowling first: 10
- Common 1st innings rating: 323
- Common 2nd innings rating: 314
- Common third innings rating: 255
- Common 4th innings rating: 143
- Highest complete recorded: 657/7 (178 Overs) by India vs Australia
- Lowest complete recorded: 90/10 (30 Overs) by India vs West Indies
- Highest rating chased: 120/2 (39.4 Overs) by India vs South Africa
- Lowest rating defended: 163/10 (91 Overs) by England vs India
Additionally READ: Hashim Amla explains how South Africa can upset India in the 2025 Test series
