Gill’s Toss Curse Continues: Can India Flip SA’s Script in Kolkata Clash?
The India vs South Africa 1st Test kicks off today at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with South Africa opting to bat first after winning the toss. Shubman Gill’s losing streak at the coin toss hit seven out of eight, but Temba Bavuma faced his own drama: star pacer Kagiso Rabada sidelined by injury. This sets the stage for a gripping World Test Championship (WTC) clash. As defending champions, South Africa aim to defend their crown, while India eyes a top-two finish. Expect spin battles and batting fireworks on a pitch primed for the first two days.
Toss Drama Unfolds: Gill’s Jinx Meets Bavuma’s Bold Call
Shubman Gill stepped up to the podium at Eden Gardens, the iconic Kolkata venue hosting this opener from November 14-18, 2025. The air buzzed with anticipation. Yet, for the seventh time in eight tosses, Gill watched the coin favor the opposition. South Africa’s Temba Bavuma grabbed the moment. “We’ll bat first,” he declared without pause. Both captains eyed the black-soil pitch, expecting true bounce and carry early on. But here’s the twist: Rabada, South Africa’s pace spearhead, pulled up lame during warm-ups. A hamstring niggle ruled him out, forcing a last-minute reshuffle.
Bavuma, fresh from leading South Africa to WTC glory in 2025, stayed cool. He resisted piling on spinners just because it’s India. Instead, they stuck with three seamers—Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Wiaan Mulder—all handy with the bat. Senuran Muthusamy sat out. Mulder slotted back at No. 3, Bosch replaced Rabada, and Bavuma reclaimed his spot from youngster Dewald Brevis. This XI blends grit and versatility. South Africa last won a toss in India eight attempts ago. Today, they broke the hoodoo. But can they break their away drought too? In 44 Tests against India, they’ve won just 18, with 10 draws and India holding 16 victories.
Gill, meanwhile, joked post-toss: “Looks like the only toss I’ll win is at the WTC final.” Confidence radiates from the young captain. Appointed in May 2025 after Rohit Sharma’s shock retirement, Gill has steered India through a 2-2 draw in England and a 2-0 sweep over West Indies. At 25, he’s the WTC’s top run-scorer with 946 runs in seven matches at 78.83, including five centuries. His leadership blends calm and aggression, much like his Punjabi-rooted flair off the field.
India’s New Era: Washington Sundar Steps Up to No. 3
India’s lineup screams innovation. Gone is the predictable top order. In comes Washington Sundar at No. 3, a move that’s sparked endless debate. Experts buzz about Sundar’s untapped batting chops. The off-spinner turned all-rounder has long been R Ashwin’s heir, but 2025 flipped the script. In England, he notched his maiden Test ton at Old Trafford—a gritty 134 in a draw-saving knock. Then, in the fifth Test, he smashed 53 on a seaming track, pushing India to 396. At home against New Zealand in 2024, despite a whitewash, Sundar grabbed a 10-fer. Now, with Sai Sudharsan benched, Sundar gets the nod. Why? Balance. It lets India pack four spinners without diluting their attack.
Rishabh Pant’s return adds rocket fuel. The wicketkeeper-batter, vice-captain under Gill, missed recent games but explodes back post-injury recovery. Named deputy in May 2025, Pant’s aggressive style—think helicopter shots and diving keeps—complements Gill’s poise. Axar Patel joins as the second left-arm spinner, partnering Ravindra Jadeja. The seam trio—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist-spin—stays intact. Dhruv Jurel lurks lower down. This XI: Jaiswal, Rahul, Sundar, Gill (c), Pant (wk), Jadeja, Jurel, Axar, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Siraj. It’s a spin-heavy beast, perfect for Eden’s turning track later.
Fans erupted online. “Sundar at 3? Bold or bonkers?” one tweeted. Another: “Don’t care if he scores 0 or 300—love the guts!” Sundar’s IPL form with Gujarat Titans—bought for ₹3.2 crore—shows his top-order nous. But Tests? This is his litmus test.
South Africa’s Grit: Bavuma’s Leadership Legacy
Across the rope, Temba Bavuma embodies resilience. The Proteas skipper, back from a calf strain that sidelined him for the Pakistan series, led South Africa to their first ICC title—the 2025 WTC final win over Australia. In that thriller, his calm under fire shone. Now, at 35, Bavuma averages 69.33 in two 2025 Tests, with a ton and fifty. As a black captain in a quota-debate sport, he shoulders extra weight. “We accept the scrutiny,” he said pre-WTC final. “But I lead with dignity.”
Rabada’s absence hurts. The 30-year-old, with 300+ Test wickets, bowled a few overs in the nets before limping off. Bosch, a raw talent, steps in. South Africa’s XI: Markram, Rickelton, Mulder, Bavuma (c), de Zorzi, Stubbs, Verreynne (wk), Jansen, Bosch, Harmer, Maharaj. Offie Simon Harmer and left-armer Keshav Maharaj add spin bite. Aiden Markram opens with Ryan Rickelton, both averaging 50+ lately. Tristan Stubbs brings middle-order muscle. This Proteas side drew 1-1 in Pakistan, showing fight. But India away? They’ve won just once since 1996.
Bavuma’s toss call? Spot on for now. Eden Gardens, with its 66,000 roar, favors chasers. Yet, South Africa’s last India tour in 2019 ended 3-0. History whispers caution.
WTC Stakes: India’s Charge, SA’s Defense
This series isn’t just pride—it’s WTC math. The 2025-27 cycle heats up. Australia tops with 100% points from three wins. India sits third at 61.9% (52 points from eight Tests: four wins, three losses, one draw). A 2-0 whitewash catapults them toward Lord’s 2027 final. South Africa, fourth at 50% (12 points from 1-1 vs Pakistan), must steal points abroad. Pakistan lurks fifth, also at 50%.
India’s home fortress? Unbeaten in 10 straight since 2022. But 2025 form dipped: losses Down Under, then the England rescue. Gill’s blade—five tons—anchors hope. Bumrah (28 wickets at 15.5) and Siraj (33 scalps) terrorize. For SA, Jansen’s bounce and Maharaj’s guile could turn tides.
Eden Gardens Pitch: Batter’s Paradise Turns Spinner’s Web
Curator Sandeep Parekh prepped a beauty. “Good for batting Days 1-2,” he said. Black soil offers pace early, then cracks for spin. Average first-innings score: 350. In 2024’s pink-ball thriller vs Bangladesh, India chased 297. Weather? Clear skies, 28°C, low humidity—no rain delays.
India’s spin quartet—Jadeja (all-round wizard), Axar (wicket-taker), Kuldeep (wrist-spin wizard), Sundar (control king)—could dominate. SA’s seamers must strike first. Bosch, uncapped in Tests, faces Bumrah’s masterclass.
Key Battles: Pant vs Jansen, Sundar vs Harmer
Watch Pant unleash against Jansen’s height. The Proteas all-rounder, 2m tall, extracts bounce—Pant loves the short ball. Gill vs Maharaj? The left-armer has troubled him thrice in Tests. Sundar vs Harmer pits off-spin twins; who drifts wider? Bumrah vs Markram: Pace vs precision.
Rabada’s benching? Bosch debuted in ODIs, but Tests? Pressure cooker.
Fan Frenzy and Broadcast Buzz
Kolkata pulses. Eden’s stands sold out; expect Sachin chants. Stream on JioCinema (free in India), telecast on Star Sports from 9:30 AM IST. Toss at 9 AM. Global fans: Hotstar app.
India’s multi-format tour rolls on: ODIs in Ranchi, Raipur, Vizag; T20Is in Cuttack, Mullanpur, Dharamshala, Lucknow, Ahmedabad. Gill’s era? Just beginning.
As umpires walk out, one thing’s clear: This Test blends youth, injury, and legacy. South Africa bats. India plots. Who blinks first?
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