Rishabh Pant back; Jurel to replace Nitish Reddy? India's probable XI for 1st Test vs South Africa

India's probable XI [Source: AFP Photo]

The stage is set for a riveting Test series as India will collide against the reigning WTC champions, South Africa, in a 2-game series, starting on November 14 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The series will be India’s second home assignment after the West Indies games, and the Shubman Gill-led side will aim to kick-start the tour with a win.

India have picked a strong squad to face the Proteas side, and they won’t get carried away as the South Africans recently defeated Pakistan in their backyard to level the series. The team does have a couple of selection headaches before the first Test, and in this article, we look at their probable playing XI for the Eden Gardens match.

Batters who are assured of a place in the playing XI

The opening place is assured with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal locked in. The duo has done well in 2025 as an opening pair and will be vital for India’s chances in the upcoming series.

(Jaiswal and KL Rahul in 2025)

• Both the Indian openers have been outstanding in 2025, and they have been one of the key reasons why India dominated England in England. Hence, their partnership at the top becomes crucial for India’s chances to beat the Proteas.
• They have combined to score 1,407 Test runs in 2025 and have accumulated 6 centuries and hence, India’s biggest strength is their top order.

Gill, Sudharsan, Pant, the three middle order batters

With the openers locked in, India’s middle-order is almost sorted, with Sai Sudharsan given a longer rope at number 3. Captain Shubman Gill, who has been going through a purple patch, will bat at 4, and the returning Rishabh Pant, who suffered a broken foot in England will bat at number 5, and that leaves India with their only major concern - who bats at number 6?.

Jurel or Nitish Reddy? who bats at 6

India’s biggest headache is the number 6 spot, with two prominent candidates. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s all-round prowess makes him a strong preference, but Jurel’s recent run of form cannot be ignored; and moreover, the keeper-batter has done well for India in recent times.

• With an average of nearly 48, with stellar performances in seven matches that he has played, Jurel should be a guaranteed starter in the playing XI. With Pant also in the side, he can play as a pure batter at number 6, and his recent performances against South Africa A should also be rewarded.
• Moreover, on Indian pitches, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s medium pace bowling might not be useful, and even without him, India can easily field 5 proper bowlers. Hence, Jurel should get a nod ahead of Reddy.

Two spinners, three pacers, the bowling combo for India?

• Gambhir loves all-rounders and hence, Kuldeep Yadav might not get a place in the playing XI, at least for the first Test. That leaves the team with two spin-bowling options in Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. One can bat at 7, the other at 8, as India will bat deep with the inclusions of the two players.
• If the latest report is to be believed, then the Eden Gardens pitch will favour the pacers as there will be some reverse swing on offer as the match progresses.
•   Hence, the ideal plan should be to go ahead with Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj as the two front-line pacers. Meanwhile, the side could also be tempted to go ahead with local boy, Akash Deep, who plays for Bengal and knows the Eden conditions on the back of his hands.

India's probable XI for first Test vs South Africa

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

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