IND vs SA 1st Test Eden Gardens Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Update: Kolkata’s Eden Gardens will host its first Test in six years (after the pink-ball Test against Bangladesh) when the India vs South Africa Test commences from Friday at the iconic venue. The weather forecast for West Bengal’s capital promises clear skies, which would be a relief to the fans, but also for Shubman Gill and Co, who will next play a Test in August 2026.
There is already a possibility that spinners will play a massive role in the game. India have four spinning options and the jury is out whether they opt to play two, three or all four spinners (Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja) in the Kolkata Test. Meanwhile, South Africa have come prepared as well, they have three quality spinners in their ranks: Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj.
Here’s what the pitch report for Eden Gardens says:
Story continues below this ad
Among all the pitches in India, the pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens is one that is known to be most conducive to pace. The pitch at the Eden bore what can only be described as a straw-coloured look in the lead up to the match. There is a chance that spin will become a factor from the third day of the Test, with pacers likely to have their day under the sun on the first two days.
ALSO READ | India vs South Africa 2025 1st Test Preview: Temba Bavuma’s men eye historic win amid spin challenge</strong>
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on Wednesday that batting should be slightly easier on the pitch for the first two days.
“We are going to be relying a lot on our seamers to make early inroads in the first couple of days. And I guess that’s what you want from a really good Test wicket, where it’s not just reliant on one of the facets being too important to the game. But I do think spin is going to be important on this pitch in the long run,” Ryan ten Doeschate added.
Story continues below this ad
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
