With both experienced and rising players getting positions in the playing XI, India’s team selection shows new strategic decisions. Scheduled to start on 14 November 2025 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the high-stakes opening match of the two-Test series between the Indian national cricket team and the South African national cricket team will set the tone.
Opening at the top of the batting order will be Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul; the number-three slot belongs to Sai Sudharsan, a part described as ‘do or die’ given his nine earlier Test innings producing only two half-centuries and an average of 30. Captain Shubman Gill will bat at number four; the returning wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will bat at number five.
Though Pant has returned to the batting up, Dhruv Jurel is almost confirmed to appear at number 6. Ryan Ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, stated, “Given the way Dhruv has gone, he is bound to play this week.’ India seems to rely on home conditions advantage on the bowling front. While fast attack will be anchored by seamers’ combination Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, alongside all-round options Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, are expected to make up the team.
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Other players, including Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal, and Akash Deep, are likely to be dropped from the XI. For South Africa, the comeback of captain Temba Bavuma, healing from a calf injury, provides experience as well as leadership to the touring squad.
Considering Indian circumstances, the Proteas have a difficult task: eight of their team have never participated in a Test on Indian turf. India appears to have assembled a balanced test series team based on home strengths, including spin depth, batting strength and pace attack backup, keeping in mind the conditions at the Eden Gardens.
The choice of both Pant and Jurel highlights a change in approach, pointing towards management’s willingness to appreciate in-form players along with keeping key veterans in the squad.
