India will host South Africa for two Test matches as part of the World Test Championship (WTC 2025-27). The first match will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14. Shubman Gill led the home Test series last month with a 2-0 clean sweep over the West Indies, and now two excellent Test matches await. South Africa are no slouch in Asian conditions, as they are coming to India after a series draw in Pakistan. They possess excellent spinners. Therefore, India will need to field a strong playing XI. Let us tell you about India’s probable playing XI before this match.
Sai Sudarshan can get another chance
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul remain strong at the top of the order. Both will open the innings. Meanwhile, this could be a do-or-die battle for Sai Sudarshan, who bats at number three. Despite playing nine Test innings, he has scored only two half-centuries so far. His average in this format is 30.
Captain Shubman Gill himself can bat at number four, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant could be seen at number five, and another wicketkeeper-batsman, Dhruv Jurel, will bat at number six. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has also confirmed that both Pant and Jurel will be included in India’s playing eleven for the Kolkata Test.
Eden Gardens pitch is expected to offer good turn. Spin all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar could provide depth and two spin options for the team. Consequently, Axar Patel will likely be left out again, while Kuldeep Yadav could be the primary spinner. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the fast bowling department, supported by Mohammed Siraj. It is believed that Devdutt Padikkal will have to wait on the bench along with Axar Patel. Bengal fast bowler Akash Deep also appears unlikely to make the playing eleven.
India’s probable playing XI for the Kolkata Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.