WTC 2025-27: IND vs SA, 1st Test, Match Preview, Prediction, Playing11, Pitch and Weather Report

IND vs SA 1st Test Match Preview – The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle heats up as a new-look Indian side, led by captain Shubman Gill, takes on the reigning champions, South Africa, in the first match of a two-Test series. The high-stakes encounter kicks off on Friday, November 14, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

This series serves as a crucial test for both nations. India, currently third in the WTC standings after a 2-0 home sweep against the West Indies, will be desperate to assert their dominance at home against the world’s top-ranked Test side. For South Africa, this is a chance to prove their championship mettle and finally break a 25-year drought of not winning a Test series on Indian soil.

The Proteas, led by Temba Bavuma, are a well-rounded unit, coming off a 1-1 drawn series in Pakistan. They possess a formidable bowling attack, but facing India’s spin contingent on a home track remains their toughest challenge. All eyes will be on India’s new era of Test leadership and the return of talismanic wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, as they begin their quest to dethrone the champions.

IND vs SA 1st Test Match Details

IND vs SA Head-to-Head (Test)

India’s home-ground advantage is starkly visible in their head-to-head record. While South Africa holds a slight edge in 44 encounters overall, they have struggled to find answers in India.

Key Stat: South Africa has not won a single Test series in India in the 21st century. Their last series victory on Indian soil came back in 1999-2000.

IND vs SA 1st Test Pitch Report: Eden Gardens

The stage is set for a classic five-day battle on a balanced Eden Gardens wicket. The pitch, made of black soil, is expected to be a “sporting” one, offering something for everyone.

• Day 1-2: The first session will be crucial. With early morning moisture, fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada can expect good bounce and seam movement with the new ball. As the day progresses, the pitch will settle down, becoming excellent for batting.

• Day 3-5: The track is expected to slow down significantly from Day 3 onwards. This is when the spinners will come into play, with the black soil offering sharp turn and variable bounce.

• Toss: The captain winning the toss will almost certainly elect to bat first. The strategy will be to post a formidable first-innings total (370-380+), as batting fourth and chasing anything over 150 will be an extremely difficult task.

IND vs SA 1st Test Weather Report

Cricket fans are in for a treat, as the weather forecast for Kolkata is perfect for an uninterrupted Test match.

• Condition: All five days (November 14-18) are expected to be sunny and clear.

• Chance of Rain: 0%

• Temperature: The temperature will be pleasant, with highs hovering around 27-28°C and lows dipping to 17°C, ensuring ideal playing conditions.

IND vs SA 1st Test Probable Playing11

India (IND): India is expected to field a spin-heavy side, with both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel finding a place in the XI—Pant as the wicket-keeper and Jurel as a specialist batter, rewarding his stellar form.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

2. KL Rahul

3. Sai Sudharsan

4. Shubman Gill (c)

5. Rishabh Pant (wk)

6. Dhruv Jurel

7. Ravindra Jadeja

8. Washington Sundar

9. Kuldeep Yadav

10. Jasprit Bumrah

11. Mohammed Siraj

South Africa (SA): The Proteas will counter with their own potent spin trio to exploit the expected turn, while relying on the pace of Kagiso Rabada and the all-round ability of Marco Jansen.

1. Aiden Markram

2. Ryan Rickelton

3. Tony de Zorzi

4. Temba Bavuma (c)

5. Tristan Stubbs

6. Kyle Verreynne (wk)

7. Marco Jansen

8. Keshav Maharaj

9. Simon Harmer

10. Kagiso Rabada

11. Senuran Muthusamy

IND vs SA 1st Test Full Squads

India Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal, Akash Deep.

South Africa Squad: 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.

IND vs SA 1st Test Match Prediction

This match is a contest between India’s formidable home dominance and South Africa’s resilient champion spirit. While the Proteas boast a balanced squad, India’s “spin-to-win” strategy at home is a well-oiled machine.

The Eden Gardens pitch, which promises to turn from Day 3, plays directly into the hands of India’s spin trio of Jadeja, Sundar, and Kuldeep. Backed by the relentless pace attack of Bumrah and Siraj, and a deep batting lineup, India starts as the clear favorite. South Africa’s best chance is to win the toss, bat first, and post a mammoth total, but sustaining that pressure against India’s spinners for five days will be a monumental task.

Prediction: India to win the 1st Test.