The first Test between India and South Africa begins on November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, marking the return of red-ball cricket to the iconic venue after six years. The last Test hosted here was the historic pink-ball match against Bangladesh in 2019. With major transitions in the Indian squad since then, including the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin, all eyes will be on how the wicket behaves in this new era.
Eden Gardens pitch report
The Kolkata surface has traditionally offered a balanced contest, giving early assistance to pacers before gradually bringing spinners into play. As per early assessments, the pitch will continue to follow this familiar pattern.
Reports suggest a light grass covering that is expected to remain through the Test, ensuring good bounce and carry. Spin will have a role, but not in the form of sharp or unpredictable turn.
Curator Sujan Mukherjee’s assessment
Chief curator Sujan Mukherjee, speaking to RevSportz, confirmed that the wicket has been prepared with controlled assistance for spinners.
“It will turn, but not that abruptly. They wanted it to spin, but I can’t offer much of it here. I reassured them, ‘you will get a good wicket, it will turn, you don’t need to worry about it’,” he said.
Mukherjee also admitted that the surface has been prepared keeping India’s requirements in mind.
“When I make the wicket for the Indian team, I give some favour to them in whatever way I can,” he added.
India predicted XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
