India have named a spin-heavy XI for the first Test in Kolkata, picking four frontline spinners in a lineup packed with all-round options, even as South Africa finally broke their long streak of bad luck at the toss.
The Proteas won the toss and chose to bat—their first toss win in India in eight Tests since 2015, and remarkably, the last time they won the toss here was at the same venue in 2010.
Before the match began, a unique statistical nugget stood out:
Most consecutive tosses lost by a team in India
• 11 – England (1961–73)
• 8 – India (1934–51)
• 7 – South Africa (2015–19)
With this toss going their way, South Africa have ended a decade-long sequence of toss defeats on Indian soil.
India load up on spin and all-rounders
India’s XI features Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, marking a clear strategy to exploit an expectedly dry surface. Captain Shubman Gill admitted frustration at continuing to lose tosses, saying he hopes the next one he wins is the “WTC Final toss,” but added that the pitch should offer early movement before aiding spin later.
“This Test bunch is very hungry… These two matches are crucial. Hopefully we get some turn as the game goes on,” Gill said. India also welcomed Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel back into the side.
Bavuma confident after choosing to bat
South African captain Temba Bavuma said the pitch looked typically Indian — dry with little grass — and emphasised the importance of strong first-innings runs.
“It’s not every day you get to play in front of 50,000–60,000 people. First innings runs will be key,” Bavuma noted.
He added that Kagiso Rabada misses out due to a rib injury, with Corbin Bosch slotting into the XI.
Playing XIs
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (w), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
If you want, I can add a pitch report, session-by-session updates, or a Google News formatted version.
