South Africa’s tour of India is starting with the Test series, the first match of which is going to start from Friday, 14th November. Akshar Patel may have to sit out in this test to be held at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. It is considered certain that Dhruv Jurel will play, the assistant coach had confirmed that Jurel and Pant can play together. Nitish Kumar Reddy will have to sit out, which has been confirmed by BCCI itself.
Rishabh Pant, who was injured during the England tour, has now fully recovered and is ready to play his first international match after about 3 months. In such a situation, it is believed that Team India can enter Kolkata with a combination of 3 fast bowlers and 2 spinners.
Why was Nitish Kumar Reddy out?
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been out of the first test only, although the reason for this is not due to injury. Let us tell you that Nitish was also injured during the Australia tour. He had already started practicing after reaching Kolkata, perhaps he would not have been in the playing 11, hence BCCI released him from the squad to play against South Africa A.
Giving an update, BCCI said, “Nitish will join the India A team for the ODI series against South Africa A in Rajkot and after the end of the ‘A’ series, he will return to the Team India team for the second Test.
🚨 NEWS 🚨
Nitish Kumar Reddy released from India’s squad for the first Test.
Nitish will join the India A squad for the One-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot and will return to #TeamIndia squad for the second Test post the conclusion of the ‘A’ series.
Details🔽…
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2025
In the playing 11 combination of Team India, 3 spinners can play in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj will be the two fast bowlers. Indian team’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also said in the press conference that Dhruv Jurel scored 2 centuries against South Africa A, he will play this week. He had also said that Nitish would not be able to make a place in the playing 11.
Rishabh Pant or Dhruv Jurel, who will be the wicket keeper?
Now the big question is that if both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are in the playing 11, then who will do the wicket keeping. There is every possibility that Pant will be the wicket-keeper, because if he was not completely fit then the management would not be in a hurry to field him.
India’s probable playing 11
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket keeper), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Where to watch live India vs South Africa 1st Test?
The first Test between India and South Africa will be telecast live on Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be on JioHotstar app and website.
