South Africa Takes the Bat First in Kolkata: India Fields Four Spinners as Sai Sudharsan Dropped and Rabada Ruled Out

In the first Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, India has made significant changes to their playing XI. Four spinners have been included, following the drop of Sai Sudharsan to accommodate Axar Patel. Meanwhile, South Africa will miss key bowler Kagiso Rabada, who is sidelined due to a rib injury.

Match Overview

The Test match took place on November 14. Shubman Gill, leading the Indian side, unfortunately lost the toss once again. As a result, South Africa opted to bat first in this much-anticipated clash.

India’s Spin Strategy

India has opted for a spin-heavy lineup, featuring:

• Washington Sundar
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Axar Patel
• Kuldeep Yadav

This choice reflects India’s strategy to utilize the advantages of the Eden Gardens pitch.

Impact of Rabada’s Absence

Kagiso Rabada’s absence is a major setback for South Africa. His replacement, Corbin Bosch, has been included in the playing XI. The loss of Rabada could impact South Africa’s bowling attack considerably.

Player Insights

At the toss, Shubman Gill expressed his frustration about losing yet another toss but remained optimistic about the upcoming match. He noted the surface looked promising and highlighted the potential for early movement.

South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, shared his excitement about playing in front of a large crowd. He emphasized the importance of their preparation coming off a series in Pakistan and acknowledged the historic significance of Eden Gardens.

Playing XIs

This Test match presents a critical opportunity for both teams to showcase their skills on a renowned Indian pitch. With the four spinners, India aims to leverage home advantage, while South Africa strives to overcome the challenges posed by the absence of their star bowler.