- By Namrata Vijay
- Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:36 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs SA 1st Test: The Men in Blue have scripted history as they are playing a Test match with six left-handed batters in their playing XI. Batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav are in India's playing XI for the series opener against South Africa, which is being held at Eden Gardens.
There have been a lot of times in the past when the hosts have played in the longest format, where they have included four lefties, but post 1956, it's the first time that six left-handed batters are part of India's playing XI in Kolkata.
India’s playing XI for the 1st Test against South Africa in Kolkata
| BATTING POSITION | BATTER | BATTING STYLE |
| 1. | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Left-handed |
| 2. | KL Rahul | Right-handed |
| 3. | Washington Sundar | Left-handed |
| 4. | Shubman Gill (C) | Right-handed |
| 5. | Rishabh Pant (WK) | Left-handed |
| 6. | Ravindra Jadeja | Left-handed |
| 7. | Dhruv Jurel | Right-handed |
| 8. | Axar Patel | Left-handed |
| 9. | Kuldeep Yadav | Left-handed |
| 10. | Jasprit Bumrah | Right-handed |
| 11. | Mohammed Siraj | Right-handed |
The host have made two changes in their playing XI. Sai Sudharsan has been snubbed along with Nitish Kumar Reddy. Rishabh Pant has made a comeback to the national side and is just playing as a batter. Axar Patel is in India's playing XI in this format for the first time after February last year.
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No Rabada, Brevis for SA
As far as visitors are concerned, star pacer Kagiso Rabada is not part of the series opener owing to a rib injury, but Temba Bavuma has returned to the national team after giving the Test series against Pakistan a miss. Dewald Brevis isn't part of the playing XI, and neither is Senuran Muthusamy.
He performed brilliantly in the two-match series against Pakistan and had also grabbed for the way he performed during the second Test in Rawalpindi.
Playing XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
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South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (C), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.