India vs South Africa 2025 1st Test Match Likely Best Playing 11
With Rishabh Pant returning, discover both teams likely best playing 11 for India vs South Africa 2025 1st Test match.
After securing a 2-0 victory over West Indies in the home Test series, Team India are currently flying high after two back-to-back successful Test series performances. But they will now be playing one of the most important Test series that shall decide the fate of the Indian team when it comes to their WTC final qualification. Yes, we are talking about the 2-match India vs South Africa 2025 home Test series.
South Africa and India will be playing just 2 matches, but these matches will be crucial for both teams to decide their fate for the WTC final qualification. If we look at the current standings in WTC, Team India are 3rd with 4 wins from 7 games, and they currently have a PCT of 61.9%. South Africa, who have played just one series against Pakistan, are 5th with 1 win from 2 games, and a PCT of 50%.
In terms of South Africa’s performance in India as per Cricinfo‘s stats, they have won 5 games from 19 games, and have lost 11 games. So, relatively India have seen the better of South Africa in India, but they do have a series win against India in India, and that was back in 2000. But since then, they haven’t won any series, so things won’t be easy for South Africa, who will anyway be up against a full-force Indian team.
Key Match Details
Tour Details: South Africa Tour of India 2025
Match Details: India vs South Africa 1st Test Match
Where: Kolkata
When: November 14-18, 2025, 9:30 am IST Onwards
If we talk about the pitch, the Kolkata pitch has traditionally been the one that supports spinners. While new ball bowlers will have assistance in pace, the pitches will, in general, get better for spin bowlers. So, expect India to also go spin-heavy, with just 2 pacers in the team. So, what’s the playing 11 both teams shall adopt? Well, let’s look at India vs South Africa 2025 1st Test match, both teams’ best playing 11.
India vs South Africa 2025 Test Series Official Squad and Players List
Batters
- Devdutt Padikkal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
Wicket-keepers
- Dhruv Jurel
- Rishabh Pant
All-rounders
- Axar Patel
- Nitish Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
Bowlers
- Akash Deep
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
Let’s start with the batters, and India should see a consistent top 4 as we had seen in the West Indies series. So, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul should open the innings with Sai Sudharsan at number 3, and Captain Shubman Gill at number 4. All eyes will be on Sai Sudharsan, who is yet to make a significant impact in the Test format. The time has come for Sai Sudharsan to make a good impact. If he doesn’t, India might opt to play someone like Devdutt Padikkal or Dhruv Jurel at number 3.
While we have a settled top-order, the middle-order might see a couple of changes. While Rishabh Pant shall make a comeback after returning from the injury, he should continue to play as a wicket-keeper batter at number 5. Whereas for number 6, India should mostly opt for Dhruv Jurel ahead of Nitish Reddy. Reddy’s bowling may not be needed much in Kolkata, so it makes sense for India to opt for a pure batter in the form of Dhruv Jurel, ahead of Nitish Reddy.
In terms of bowlers, India should opt for a 3-spin and 2-pace combination. While Kuldeep Yadav shall lead the spin duties, he should have support from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Whereas in the pace department, Team India are likely to continue with their traditional pace duo, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Overall, it’s a great playing 11, and the one that is balanced in both batting and bowling.
India vs South Africa 2025 1st Test Match Best Playing 11
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
India vs South Africa 2025 Test Series Official Squad List for SA
Batters
- Aiden Markram
- Dewald Brevis
- Temba Bavuma
- Tony De Zorzi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Zubayr Hamza
WKs
- Ryan Rickelton
- Kyle Verreyne
All-rounders
- Corbin Bosch
- Marco Jansen
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Wiaan Mulder
Bowlers
- Simon Harmer
- Kagiso Rabada
- Keshav Maharaj
Coming to South Africa’s playing 11, we are looking at a good mix of bowling and batting areas. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton should open the innings with Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs forming the middle-order. While Kyle Verreyne should keep wickets, the lower-order should comprise Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, and Senaran. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada should lead the pace department, and Senuram and Keshav Maharaj should lead the spin department. In case South Africa decide to play a pure batter, Dewald Brevis may come in for Wiaan Mulder.
India vs South Africa 2025 1st Test Match Best Playing 11 for SA
- Aiden Markram
- Ryan Rickelton
- Temba Bavuma (C)
- Tony De Zorzi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreyne (wk)
- Wiaan Mulder
- Marco Jansen
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Kagiso Rabada
- Keshav Maharaj
So, that’s about the best playing 11 for the India vs South Africa 1st Test match at Hyderabad. Overall, Team India look much stronger. But just like the WTC final 2025, we can’t discount South Africa, which can be resilient in tough conditions. Whatever the case, it will be an exciting and competitive series, so get ready for it. Thanks for reading. What’s your playing 11 for the match? Please share your thoughts on business@cricalytics.com, or in the comment section below.
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