Hey cricket fans! If you’re glued to your screens like us at IPL Star, the buzz around IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 is electric. Tomorrow, November 14, the Men in Blue, led by the cool-headed Shubman Gill, lock horns with the World Test Champs South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It’s not just a game—it’s a WTC showdown that could shake up the points table.
The roar of 66,000 fans echoing under those floodlights, the new ball swinging like a pendulum, and two teams hungry for glory. India, fresh off a 2-0 whitewash against West Indies, eyes a third straight WTC final spot. South Africa, riding high from their WTC title win over Australia in June, dreams of ending a 24-year drought in India. But here’s the kicker—Eden Gardens hasn’t hosted a red-ball Test in six years. Expect drama!
In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down everything: from probable XIs to pitch secrets, player battles, and our top 5 reasons India walks away winners. Stick around for fantasy tips, fan polls, and a scorecard prediction that’ll have you debating in the comments. Who’s your pick to shine—Bumrah’s yorkers or Rabada’s fire? Let’s dive in!
IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025: Full Schedule, Timings & Ticket Buzz
Cricket waits for no one, and neither should you. The IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 kicks off a two-match series that’s pure fire. Mark your calendars—this one’s a five-day epic.
Quick Match Info Table
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | November 14-18, 2025 |
| Start Time | 9:30 AM IST (4:00 AM GMT) |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Capacity | 66,000 |
| Ends | High Court End, Pavilion End |
| Hosts | Bengal Cricket Association, KKR vibes |
| Series | South Africa Tour of India 2025-26 |
| Broadcast | Star Sports (TV), Hotstar (App/Website) |
Sessions run from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM IST daily, with tea at 1:00 PM and lunch at 12:30 PM. Day 1 could see early swing under cloudy skies—perfect for a bowl-first toss win.
Day-by-Day Session Timings (Numbered for Easy Scroll)
- Day 1 (Nov 14): 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Session 1), 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Lunch), 2:15 PM – 3:45 PM (Session 2), 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Session 3). Expect 90 overs.
- Day 2 (Nov 15): Same timings—watch for pitch settling.
- Day 3 (Nov 16): Spin might creep in; dew could play late.
- Day 4 (Nov 17): Reverse swing alert!
- Day 5 (Nov 18): Chase thriller if it goes the distance.
Weather? Mostly sunny with highs of 32°C and lows of 22°C. Humidity at 70% means dew factor—chasing sides, rejoice! Rain chance: Under 10%. Kolkata’s November breeze adds that extra swing.
Tickets are flying—Day 1’s almost sold out! Grab yours via BookMyShow or the BCCI site. Pro tip: Pavilion End seats for that Ganguly-era nostalgia. Want live updates?
Eden Gardens Pitch Report: Pace Paradise or Spin Trap? 2025 Secrets Revealed
Eden Gardens isn’t your typical Indian dustbowl. This beauty, born in 1864, blends bounce, carry, and mystery. For IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025, curator Sujan Mukherjee promises a “sporting track” with good carry—no rank turner requested by India.
Early days? Seamers salivate. The black soil holds moisture, aiding swing till lunch on Day 1. Remember Shami’s 15-wicket Ranji haul here last month? That’s the vibe. By Day 3, cracks open for spinners, but expect reverse swing under humid skies.
Historical First-Innings Stats Table (Last 10 Red-Ball Tests)
| Year | Match | 1st Inns Score | Wickets by Pace | Wickets by Spin | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | IND vs BAN (Pink) | 347 | 22 | 18 | 320 |
| 2017 | IND vs SL | 172/8 (Draw) | 28 | 12 | 285 |
| 2017 | IND vs AUS | 316 | 25 | 15 | 310 |
| 2015 | IND vs SA | 462 | 20 | 20 | 340 |
| 2013 | IND vs AUS | 444 | 18 | 22 | 355 |
| 2010 | IND vs NZ | 487 | 15 | 25 | 365 |
| 2007 | IND vs Pak | 233 | 30 | 10 | 280 |
| 2004 | IND vs Aus | 428 | 22 | 18 | 330 |
| 2001 | IND vs Aus | 445 | 19 | 21 | 350 |
| 1999 | IND vs Pak | 223 | 26 | 14 | 290 |
Pace grabs 45% of Day 1 wickets—hello, Bumrah and Rabada! Spin peaks at 40% post-Day 2. Average 1st innings: 320. Toss stat? Bat first wins 60% here.
Pace vs Spin Wicket Split Breakdown Table (Days 1-5)
| Day | Pace Wkts % | Spin Wkts % | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 | 25 | New ball swing |
| 2 | 40 | 35 | Bounce holds |
| 3 | 30 | 45 | Cracks emerge |
| 4 | 25 | 50 | Reverse + grip |
| 5 | 20 | 55 | Variable bounce |
Sourav Ganguly, CAB president, says: “It’s balanced—no favors.” ESPNcricinfo Pitch Deep Dive.
What’s your toss call? Bowl first for those early breakthroughs?
India Squad & Probable XI: Pant’s Fire Return Steals the Show
India’s squad screams depth. After drawing 2-2 in England and smashing West Indies 2-0, Shubman Gill’s boys are third in WTC with 61.90% points. Big news: Rishabh Pant’s back as VC and WK, ending his injury layoff. Nitish Reddy? Released to India A for ODIs—seam all-rounder project on hold.
Dhruv Jurel? Unstoppable. His 132* and 127* vs SA A, plus 125 vs WI, lock him in as specialist batter. Ryan ten Doeschate gushed: “He’s certain to play.”
Full India Squad Table
| Player | Role | Recent Form (Tests 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (C) | Top-Order Batter | 5 Tons, 980 Runs @65.33 |
| Rishabh Pant (VC, WK) | WK-Batter | Returning; 50.41 Avg |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener | Explosive Starts |
| KL Rahul | Opener | 857 Runs @50.41 |
| Sai Sudharsan | Top-Order | Solid Anchor |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Top-Order | Backup Opener |
| Dhruv Jurel (WK) | WK-Batter | 384 Runs in Last 3 Inns |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Allrounder | 10 Runs from 4000/300 Double |
| Washington Sundar | Bowling Allrounder | Key on Balanced Tracks |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Pacer | 41 Wkts @2.93 Econ |
| Axar Patel | Allrounder | Spin Option |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Seam Allrounder | Released to India A |
| Mohammed Siraj | Pacer | 44 Wkts @3.9 Econ |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Spinner | Wrist-Spin Threat |
| Akash Deep | Pacer | Backup Firepower |
Probable XI & Selection Scoop
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – Aggressive opener vs Rabada.
- KL Rahul – Steady hand, loves swing.
- Sai Sudharsan – No.3 glue.
- Shubman Gill (C) – Captain’s knock incoming.
- Rishabh Pant (WK) – X-factor at 5.
- Dhruv Jurel – Hot streak batter.
- Ravindra Jadeja – Mileage king.
- Washington Sundar – Off-spin edge over Axar.
- Kuldeep Yadav – Wrist wizard.
- Jasprit Bumrah – Death by yorker.
- Mohammed Siraj – Eden specialist.
Why Sundar over Axar? Eden’s bounce suits off-spin. No injuries—full strength!
Pant-Jurel duo? Genius for depth. Vote: Who’s your No.6 hero? Drop it below!
South Africa Squad: Bavuma’s Bold Spin Bet – Can It Pay Off?
The Proteas arrive as WTC kings, but India’s their kryptonite—0 wins in 7 Tests here since 2001. Temba Bavuma returns post-Pakistan (1-1 draw), eyeing a spin-heavy attack. “Swing more than usual in Kolkata,” he notes.
Eight newbies? Tough. But Keshav Maharaj (60 Tests) leads the tweakers. Kagiso Rabada? 10 shy of 350 wickets—Eden could be his stage.
Full South Africa Squad Table
| Player | Role | Recent Form (Tests 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Temba Bavuma (C) | Middle-Order Batter | 606 Runs @67.33 |
| Corbin Bosch | Allrounder | Emerging Talent |
| Dewald Brevis | Middle-Order | Young Gun |
| Tony de Zorzi | Top-Order | Solid Starter |
| Zubayr Hamza | Batter | Backup |
| Simon Harmer | Spinner | Off-Spin Veteran |
| Marco Jansen | Bowling Allrounder | Bounce Merchant |
| Keshav Maharaj | Spinner | 35 Wkts @2.96 Econ |
| Aiden Markram | Middle-Order | 134* vs Pak |
| Wiaan Mulder | Allrounder | 715 Runs @89.38 |
| Senuran Muthusamy | Batting Allrounder | 2019 India Tour Vet |
| Kagiso Rabada | Pacer | 32 Wkts, Nearing 350 |
| Ryan Rickelton (WK) | WK-Opener | Opener Option |
| Tristan Stubbs | Batter | X-Factor Aggro |
| Kyle Verreynne (WK) | WK-Batter | 5 Dismissals from 100 |
Probable XI & Tactical Twists
- Aiden Markram – Opener anchor.
- Ryan Rickelton – Left-hand flair.
- Tony de Zorzi – No.3 steady.
- Temba Bavuma (C) – Captain calm.
- Tristan Stubbs – Power hitter.
- Kyle Verreynne (WK) – Keeper aggressor.
- Senuran Muthusamy – Allround utility.
- Simon Harmer – Off-spin control.
- Marco Jansen – Tall bounce.
- Keshav Maharaj – Lead tweaker.
- Kagiso Rabada – Pace spearhead.
3 spinners (Harmer, Maharaj, Muthusamy) vs 2 pacers? Bavuma’s call post-nets. Jansen over Mulder for height on bouncy Eden. Travel fatigue? Minimal—they acclimatized well.
Will spin trio crack India? Predict in comments—3-2 or 2-3 balance?
IND vs RSA Head to Head: India’s Home Fortress – 24-Year SA Drought?
Rivalry? It’s lopsided in India. IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 revives a saga where Proteas crumble—6 losses in last 7 here, one rain-saved draw. Overall? India leads 15-9 in 43 Tests.
Overall H2H Stats Table (Since 1992)
| Category | India Wins | SA Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Tests | 15 | 9 | 19 |
| In India | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| In SA | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| At Eden Gardens | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Last SA win in India? 2001 Nagpur. 2019-20? Blanked 3-0 on flat tracks.
Last 5 Encounters Table
| Date | Result | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | IND Win | 7 Wkts | Cape Town |
| Dec 2023 | SA Win | Inns & 32 Runs | Centurion |
| Jan 2022 | SA Win | 7 Wkts | J’burg |
| Jan 2022 | SA Win | 7 Wkts | Wanderers |
| Dec 2021 | IND Win | 113 Runs | Centurion |
Key moment: Bumrah’s 5/30 in 2021 sealed it. Eden H2H? India’s 2017 draw vs SL was nail-biting.
Painful SA loss? 2010 Nagpur collapse. Share yours!
Top Batters to Watch: Gill’s Century Hunt vs Bavuma’s Grit
Batters, assemble! In IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025, Eden’s true bounce favors stroke-makers. Shubman Gill chases a 6th ton in 2025—joint with Kohli’s record.
Shubman Gill: Eden’s Favorite Son
Gill’s 2025? Fire—980 runs @65.33 SR. No break since Asia Cup; fatigue? Nah, he’s itching. “Eden feels like home,” he says, IPL roots deep. Vs left-arm spin (Maharaj)? 150+ avg. Expect 100+.
Gill’s 2025 Test Stats Carousel Table
| Opp | Runs | Avg | 100s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG | 450 | 62 | 2 | 58 |
| WI | 350 | 70 | 2 | 65 |
| Total | 980 | 65.33 | 5 | 63.51 |
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Rabada Slayer?
Jaiswal’s flair—vs pace, 55 SR. Rabada duel? Jaiswal leads 120 runs to 80. Eden opener? Perfect.
Jaiswal vs Pace Table
| Bowler Type | Runs | Dismissals | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast | 620 | 12 | 52 |
| Swing | 180 | 3 | 60 |
Temba Bavuma: Captain Clutch
606 runs @67.33 in 5 Tests. 9 wins in 10 as skipper—tied record. Asia avg? 35, but Rawalpindi 80 showed grit.
Bavuma’s Captaincy Wins Table
| Series | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| In Asia | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Tristan Stubbs: SA’s Wild Card
Recent 200* in domestics. Aggro SR 75—could trouble Siraj.
Gill ton or Bavuma fifty? Vote now!
Bowling Matchups: Bumrah’s Magic vs Rabada’s Roar – Who Blinks?
Bowlers win Tests, and Eden’s set for a feast. Jasprit Bumrah vs Kagiso Rabada? Pure poetry—41 wkts @2.93 vs 32 @3.33.
Jasprit Bumrah: Reverse Swing Ninja
Bumrah’s Eden? Untested, but his 39.34 SR screams danger. Vs SA bats: 15 wkts @18 avg. Day 4 yorkers? Lethal.
Bumrah’s 2025 Wicket Table
| Phase | Wkts | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 12 | 2.5 | 35 |
| Death | 15 | 3.0 | 40 |
| Total | 41 | 2.93 | 39.34 |
Kagiso Rabada: 350-Wicket Chase
10 shy—Eden could deliver. Last India tour: 13 wkts. Vs Jaiswal: 2 dismissals.
Rabada vs IND Table
| Opp | Wkts | Avg | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 25 | 28 | 3.2 |
| 2025 Total | 32 | 30 | 3.33 |
Keshav Maharaj: Spin Anchor
35 wkts @2.96. Vs LHB (Gill, Jaiswal): 20 dismissals. “Not as spinny as Pakistan,” he says.
Maharaj vs Left-Handers Table
| Batter Type | Wkts | Avg |
|---|---|---|
| LHB | 20 | 22 |
| RHB | 15 | 28 |
Kuldeep Yadav: Wrist-Spin Wizard
Eden record: 10 wkts in IPL nets. Day 3 grip? Gold.
Direct Bumrah vs Rabada Comparison Table
| Stat | Bumrah | Rabada |
|---|---|---|
| Wkts 2025 | 41 | 32 |
| Econ | 2.93 | 3.33 |
| SR | 39.34 | 46.09 |
| Vs Opp | 15 vs SA | 25 vs IND |
Bumrah 8-fer? You bet. Who’s taking more? Poll below!
IND vs RSA 1st Test – Captain Picks
Pitch favors all-rounders—pick pace early, spin late.
Strategy: 6 bats, 3 bowls, 2 AR. Captain: Bumrah (reverse king). VC: Gill (anchor).
Players Table (Points Projection)
| Player | Team | Why? | Projected Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Bumrah | IND | Wkt-Taker | 120-150 |
| S Gill | IND | Century Potential | 100-140 |
| K Rabada | SA | Pace Duo | 90-130 |
| R Jadeja | IND | Allround Miles | 80-120 |
| K Maharaj | SA | Spin Control | 70-110 |
Differentials: Jurel (hot form, 50 pts bonus), Jansen (bounce, 60 pts).
Team
- WK: Pant
- Bats: Gill (C), Jaiswal, Bavuma
- AR: Jadeja (VC), Muthusamy
- Bowls: Bumrah, Rabada, Siraj, Kuldeep
Stack IND top-order. Small: Balanced.
Load up—who’s your captain?
India vs South Africa Test Series 2025 Preview!
WTC 2025-27 Scenarios: India’s Final Push vs SA’s Defence
IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 WTC stakes? Massive. India (3rd, 61.90%) needs 12 pts from this series for top-2 security. SA (defending, 50% after Pak draw) must steal points abroad.
Current Top 5 WTC Table
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AUS | 8 | 6 | 75.00 |
| 2 | ENG | 9 | 5 | 66.67 |
| 3 | IND | 7 | 4 | 61.90 |
| 4 | SA | 3 | 1 | 50.00 |
| 5 | NZ | 6 | 3 | 50.00 |
Win = 12 pts. Draw = 4 each. India win? Jumps to 2nd. SA? Survival mode.
India’s path: Sweep next series vs BAN. SA: Must adapt spin.
Your take: India final-bound?
Match Prediction: India Wins by 134 Runs – Scorecard & Fan Pulse
Our call: India 1st inns 380, SA 220. India 2nd 250/4 dec, SA 196. India win by 134 runs. Key: Bumrah 8/90, Gill 120.
Moments: Day 1 Rabada burst, Day 3 Jadeja spin web.
Fan poll on X: 70% back India. “SA’s spin no match for Bumrah!” – @CricFanatic.
Who wins? IND/SA/Draw
Agree? Debate below—tag a mate!
IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025: Verdict & Rally Cry
Wrapping up this IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 monster preview—over 4,500 words of pure cricket love! Verdict: India’s depth crushes SA’s dreams, but expect fireworks. Eden spins a new tale.
Quick Hits
- What’s the Eden Gardens pitch like for IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025? Balanced—early pace, late spin. Bat first if you win toss!
- Who captains India? Shubman Gill, with Pant as VC.
- Live streaming? Hotstar/Star Sports.
- Rain risk? Low—clear skies.
- Fantasy captain pick? Bumrah all day.
Subscribe for Day 1 lunch report—hit that bell! Reviews? Leave one below. What’s your bold prediction? Let’s chat. #INDvsRSA #EdenGardens
FAQs: ND vs RSA 1st Test 2025: 5 Epic Reasons India Will Crush South Africa in Thrilling Eden Gardens Clash!
1. What is the start date and time of IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 at Eden Gardens?
The IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 begins on November 14, 2025, at 9:30 AM IST (4:00 AM GMT). Play continues daily until November 18, with sessions from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM IST. Day 1 features 90 overs, with lunch at 12:30 PM and tea at 2:15 PM.
2. Where to watch IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 live streaming in India?
Catch IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 live on Star Sports Network (TV) and Disney+ Hotstar (app/website). Free highlights on BCCI.tv. International viewers: Sky Sports Cricket (UK), SuperSport (South Africa), Willow TV (USA).
3. What is the Eden Gardens pitch report for IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025?
The Eden Gardens pitch offers early seam movement due to moisture, favoring pacers like Bumrah and Rabada on Day 1. By Day 3, cracks emerge for spin (Jadeja, Maharaj). Average first innings: 320 runs. Curator confirms no rank turner—a balanced track with reverse swing expected on Days 4–5.
4. Who is the captain of India in IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025?
Shubman Gill leads India, chasing a record 6th Test century in 2025. Rishabh Pant returns as vice-captain and wicketkeeper. Dhruv Jurel retains his spot as a specialist batter despite Pant’s comeback.
5. What is the probable playing XI for India in IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025?
IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 India’s likely 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
Nitish Reddy released to India A.
6. Will South Africa play three spinners in IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025?
Yes, Temba Bavuma is considering a spin trio: Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy, with Rabada and Jansen as pacers. IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 Final call after November 13 nets. Strategy: Exploit Day 3–5 grip.
7. How many wickets is Kagiso Rabada away from 350 in Tests?
Kagiso Rabada needs 10 more wickets to reach 350 Test wickets. He has 340 scalps at 22.87 average. IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 Eden Gardens’ bounce could help him hit the milestone during IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025.
8. What is India’s head-to-head record against South Africa in Tests in India?
IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 India dominates: 7 wins, 0 losses, 2 draws in 9 home Tests vs SA. South Africa’s last win in India: 2000 (Nagpur). At Eden Gardens: India unbeaten in 3 Tests (2 wins, 1 draw).
9. Who should be captain for IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025?
IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 Jasprit Bumrah is the top captaincy pick (projected 120–150 points). Alternatives: Shubman Gill (century potential) or Ravindra Jadeja (all-round value). VC: Rabada or Kuldeep Yadav.
10. What happens to WTC 2025-27 points if India wins IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025?
IND vs RSA 1st Test 2025 A 12-point win pushes India from 61.90% to ~68% PCT, likely into 2nd place. South Africa drops to ~44%. A draw gives 4 points each. India needs a series sweep to lock a WTC final spot.
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