The first Test match between India and South Africa begins today at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first . Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has returned to the Indian team .
A rare record during IND vs SA 1st Test
A Test match is being played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata after six years. The Indian team last played a Test match at this ground in 2019 against Bangladesh. This match was a Pink Ball Test, and India won it. Speaking of today’s match, India has included Kuldeep Yadav in its squad. Sai Sudarshan did not make the final eleven.
The Indian team has fielded six left-handed batsmen in the first Test against South Africa . This is the first time in 93 years of Test cricket history that the Test playing eleven has included six left-handed batsmen. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav are part of the Indian team. These six players are left-handed batsmen.
Earlier, in the 93-year history of Indian Test cricket, this marked the first time that six left- handed batsmen were part of the playing XI. Shubman Gill became the first Indian captain to include so many left-handed batsmen in his playing XI. India played its first Test match against England at Lord’s in 1932.
Playing XIs:
India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
South Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (w), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.