IND vs SA 1st Test: India break 133-year tradition with extraordinary playing XI; Shubman Gill ushers in a new era at Eden Gardens

Shubman Gill-led India created a new milestone during the 1st Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata as they featured six left-handed batters in the playing XI for the first time in the history of Test Cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are part of India’s playing XI for the opening Test against South Africa

On multiple occasions in the past, India has played a Test match with four lefties in the XI, but after 596 matches, six left-handed batters are part of India’s playing XI at Eden Gardens.

India featured with two changes in opener Test vs South Africa

For the opener Test of the Freedom Trophy, India featured with two changes to their playing XI. Tamil Nadu’s B Sai Sudharsan has been dropped from the playing XI along with Nitish Kumar Reddy. Rishabh Pant is back in the side after missing India's last Test series against West Indies due to an injury in England during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Axar Patel is also part of India’s playing XI for the first time since February 2024.

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India (Playing XI)

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Bumrah's twin blow keep India in command at lunch

India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets in the first session as South Africa scored 105 for 3 at lunch on the opening day of first Test. Bumrah (2/9) dismissed both the openers, Ryan Rickelton (23) and Aiden Markram (31), after the Proteas were off to a good start. Before lunch, veteran spinner Kuldeep Yadav joined hands with Bumrah, picking skipper Temba Bavuma's (3) wicket to put India in further control. At the break, Wiaan Mulder (22 batting) and Tony de Zorzi (15 batting) were at the crease.