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IND vs SA Test series to feature special toss coin honouring Gandhi and Mandela at Eden Gardens

Rajgeeta Yadav

Team India set to face South Africa in Tests [Source: AFP]Team India set to face South Africa in Tests [Source: AFP]

Test cricket is returning to Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens after six long years, and this time, the match will have a special touch of history. The Bengal Cricket Association (CAB) has introduced a unique coin for the toss to mark the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy between India and South Africa. 

The coin features Mahatma Gandhi on one side and Nelson Mandela on the other, two global leaders who symbolise peace and the shared struggles of India and South Africa for freedom and equality.

Eden Gardens to host IND-SA Test with symbolic toss coin

The first Test match of the series will be played at Eden Gardens, often called the “Mecca of Indian cricket.” The atmosphere in Kolkata, also known as the “City of Joy,” is already electric as India prepares to face the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa. Even before the first ball is bowled, the special toss will make history.

On the eve of the match, the Cricket Association of Bengal will also organise the Jagmohan Dalmiya Memorial Lecture on November 13. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar will deliver the keynote speech, with players from both teams in attendance. Dalmiya, who once led both the BCCI and ICC, is fondly remembered for turning India into a global cricketing superpower.

Notably, team India reached Kolkata on Sunday evening after finishing their ODI series in Australia. Captain Shubman Gill, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, and head coach Gautam Gambhir were among the first to arrive. Gambhir, along with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, inspected the Eden Gardens pitch on Monday morning.

Former India captain and president Sourav Ganguly also visited the ground later to assess the surface, which was then covered to protect it from dew and possible rain. When asked about the pitch conditions, Ganguly commented, “It looks a very good wicket,” while clarifying that India hadn’t asked for a turning track.

Meanwhile, the second Test will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, starting on November 22.