A lot of questions are being raised regarding the pitch of Kolkata Test, where the batsmen of India and South Africa were struggling to score runs. This can be gauged from the fact that in all four innings, only Temba Bavuma was able to score a half-century. Harbhajan Singh got so enraged that he even wrote ‘RIP Test Cricket’.

Not only Harbhajan Singh, but many veterans have raised questions on this pitch. Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan also called it a useless pitch. Aaron Finch also reacted to this. Talking about Harbhajan Singh, he posted on X and wrote, “India vs South Africa Test cricket was almost over on the second day itself. What a joke.” Bhajji wrote along with it a hashtag #RIPTESTCRICKET.

Test cricket India vs South Africa the game almost over on 2nd day isn’t finished yet. What a mockery of test cricket #RIPTESTCRICKET

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 15, 2025

Test cricket has been destroyed – Bhajji

Harbhajan Singh, who has been candid about everything, while sharing a video on this, wrote, “Yesterday I had talked about destroying Test cricket in the Kolkata Test. This practice has been going on for many years, this is the wrong way to play. We are not moving forward, just roaming around like the bulls in the same crusher. We are winning but there is no benefit.”

Bhajji further said, “What is the use if the batsmen are getting out not because of the ability of the bowler but because of the pitch. It is bad to see, the way cricket is going on, the match is ending in two and a half days, it is very surprising for me. We lost to New Zealand, then lost this series. We went to England, played such good cricket but then came home and lost.”

Awful pitch in Kolkata… #INDvSA

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 15, 2025

Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan had posted a post on the second day of the Kolkata Test, calling the pitch useless. He had written, “The pitch in Kolkata is useless.”

Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch wrote, “What are your thoughts on the kind of wicket we are seeing in Kolkata? I like to see the batsmen standing completely surrounded by the fielders, the ball spinning so much, it is a lot of fun to see it.”

The first test match between India and South Africa lasted only two and a half days. The pitch of Eden Gardens is being criticized. However, Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir has supported the pitch and the curator. But Michael Vaughan has given exactly the opposite statement. Vaughan had called it a ‘poor pitch’ during the second day’s play. Let us tell you that on the third day in the Kolkata Test, the Indian team could not achieve even the small target of 124 runs.

Now Michael Vaughan has once again criticized the pitch of Eden Gardens. “If you prepare a pitch like this you deserve to lose against the World Test Champions. Great win for South Africa,” he said in a post on X.

Simon Harmer, who has taken more than a thousand wickets in first-class, single-handedly overpowered Team India, taking a total of 8 wickets in the entire match. Especially in the second innings, he took away the strength of the Indian middle order batting. He took the wickets of Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.

Prepare a pitch like that and you deserve to lose against the World Test champs…. brilliant win by SA…. #INDvSA

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 16, 2025

Kolkata’s pitch was described as poor

A total of 15 wickets fell on the second day in the Kolkata Test, while Indian captain Shubman Gill was retired due to neck strain. The second day was completely dominated by the spinners. Michael Vaughan reacted to this and described the Eden Gardens pitch as poor.

The South African team last won the Test in India in 2010. After 15 years, no Test match has been won on Indian soil under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma. Let us tell you that under the captaincy of Bavuma, the South African team has remained invincible in test matches so far. The second test of both the teams will be played in Guwahati from 22nd November.

Also read:

IND vs PAK: How can you watch India-Pakistan match in Asia Cup today for free on mobile and TV? Know all the details

Shubman Gill retired from the field on the second day of the first Test due to injury, after which he could not come on the field again. He felt neck pain, after which he had to be taken to the hospital. Gill was missed in the Kolkata Test, where India lost by 30 runs despite chasing the small target of 124 runs. After the match, head coach Gautam Gambhir came to the press conference, where he gave a big update on Gill’s injury.

India vs South Africa 2nd Test will start from Saturday, November 22, which will be played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Gautam Gambhir told in the press conference that the situation is not clear yet regarding the availability of Shubman Gill in the second test. A final decision on this will be taken only after seeing his fitness.

What did Gautam Gambhir say about Shubman Gill?

Gautam Gambhir told that Shubman Gill is under the supervision of BCCI medical team. The coach said, “His Shubman is assessing Gill’s fitness. Let’s see what happens. The physio will take a decision regarding Gill’s injury this evening, based on that our next step will be taken.”

Eden Gardens pitch defended

The way the Eden Gardens pitch looked in the first Test between India vs South Africa is being criticized. However, coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch and said that it was a test of the batsman’s temperament. He said that there was a need to play cautiously here, to play by waiting and not attacking. Gambhir also gave the examples of Temba Bavuma and Washington Sundar.

Gambhir said, this pitch was as we had asked for. There were no shortcomings in it, it was completely playable. If we are calling this a turning wicket, then the seamers took more wickets here.”

BCCI issued an official statement on Shubman Gill’s injury and said that he is in the hospital. Gill has been ruled out of the first Test being played at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, now Rishabh Pant is taking over the captaincy in his place. Let us tell you that Gill felt neck pain while batting on the second day of the Test, after which he retired hurt and walked out of the field.

BCCI’s official statement on Shubman Gill’s injury

BCCI said in its statement, “On the second day of the ongoing Test match against South Africa in Kolkata, captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury. After the end of the day’s play, he was taken to the hospital for examination. Currently he is in the hospital. He has been ruled out of the first Test. The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor him.”

Update

Captain Shubman Gill had a neck injury on Day 2 of the ongoing Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of the day’s play.

He is currently under observation in the hospital. He will take no further part in the… pic.twitter.com/o7ozaIECLq

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 16, 2025

Team India in strong position

In the Kolkata Test, Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. South Africa was reduced to 159 runs in the first innings, Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets in the first innings. Although Team India could get a lead of only 30 runs in the first innings, the team was all out for 189 runs. KL Rahul (39) scored the most runs for India in the first innings. Simon Harmer had taken 4 wickets.

On the second day, Ravindra Jadeja bowled brilliantly and took 4 wickets in the second innings of South Africa. By the end of the second day’s play, South Africa had scored 93 runs, but lost 7 wickets. It remains to be seen how much target South Africa gives to India, as per the situation till now, Team India has the upper hand.

South Africa’s tour of India is starting with the Test series, the first match of which is going to start from Friday, 14th November. Akshar Patel may have to sit out in this test to be held at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. It is considered certain that Dhruv Jurel will play, the assistant coach had confirmed that Jurel and Pant can play together. Nitish Kumar Reddy will have to sit out, which has been confirmed by BCCI itself.

Rishabh Pant, who was injured during the England tour, has now fully recovered and is ready to play his first international match after about 3 months. In such a situation, it is believed that Team India can enter Kolkata with a combination of 3 fast bowlers and 2 spinners.

Why was Nitish Kumar Reddy out?

Nitish Kumar Reddy has been out of the first test only, although the reason for this is not due to injury. Let us tell you that Nitish was also injured during the Australia tour. He had already started practicing after reaching Kolkata, perhaps he would not have been in the playing 11, hence BCCI released him from the squad to play against South Africa A.

Giving an update, BCCI said, “Nitish will join the India A team for the ODI series against South Africa A in Rajkot and after the end of the ‘A’ series, he will return to the Team India team for the second Test.

NEWS

Nitish Kumar Reddy released from India’s squad for the first Test.

Nitish will join the India A squad for the One-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot and will return to #TeamIndia squad for the second Test post the conclusion of the ‘A’ series.

Details…

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2025

In the playing 11 combination of Team India, 3 spinners can play in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj will be the two fast bowlers. Indian team’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also said in the press conference that Dhruv Jurel scored 2 centuries against South Africa A, he will play this week. He had also said that Nitish would not be able to make a place in the playing 11.

Rishabh Pant or Dhruv Jurel, who will be the wicket keeper?

Now the big question is that if both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are in the playing 11, then who will do the wicket keeping. There is every possibility that Pant will be the wicket-keeper, because if he was not completely fit then the management would not be in a hurry to field him.

India’s probable playing 11

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket keeper), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Where to watch live India vs South Africa 1st Test?

The first Test between India and South Africa will be telecast live on Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be on JioHotstar app and website.

India vs South Africa The first test will be played at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata from 14th November. Before this, Team India has suffered a big blow, the star all-rounder has been out of the first test. Team’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has revealed that Dhruv Jurel is certain to play in Kolkata. However, Rishabh Pant will also be in the playing 11, who will play his first international match after being injured in England.

Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that along with Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel will also play the first Test against South Africa. Jurel had scored his first Test century in the series against West Indies, he had played unbeaten centuries (132, 127) in both the innings of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A last week. He is in great form.

Nitish Kumar Reddy out of first test?

Nitish Kumar Reddy was injured during the Australia tour, there were questions about his fitness. Although he is a part of the Test squad, the assistant coach said that Jurel is certain to play, so Nitish will not be able to play the first Test. At the same time, a report has said that Nitish can be removed from the squad for the first test itself, he can play domestically.

India’s probable playing 11 for the first test

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel (wicket keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa has not won a test series in India for 26 years

The South African cricket team won its first and last Test series in India in 1999. After this, Team India came to play the Test series 5 times, but could never win.

Talking about head to head in Test, there have been a total of 44 matches between the two. Team India has won 18 times and South Africa has won 10 times. 10 matches have ended in a draw.

India vs South Africa first test schedule

• date: 14 to 18 November, 2025
• Venue: Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata
• Time: from 9:30 am
• Live broadcast: star sports network
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar App/Website.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday evening announced the team for the Test series against South Africa. Rishabh Pant returned to the team as vice-captain under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, Akash Deep was also included but once again fast bowler Mohammed Shami was ignored. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him along with Pant. Shami was seen with selector RP Singh in Ranji Trophy, after which the discussion on him intensified.

Last time, the reason for Mohammed Shami’s exclusion was fitness. Shami is currently playing for Bengal team in Ranji Trophy, where he took 7 wickets against Uttarakhand and 8 wickets against Gujarat. After taking 15 wickets in 2 matches, it seemed that Shami could be included in the Test series against South Africa, but it did not happen.

Gambhir-Agarkar criticized on social media

A fan wrote on social media, “This management is ignoring older players. We have examples of this, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ashwin and now Shami.” Another fan wrote, “There is no place for Mohammed Shami in the Indian team for the South Africa Test! It is difficult to be like Mohammed Shami, he deserves better than this.”

One fan wrote, “Why is Mohammed Shami not in the team? Is his fitness a matter of concern despite all the hard work in Ranji Trophy and other competitions? Could this be the end of Shami playing for India?”

why is @MdShami11 not in the squad?

Is his fitness still a concern even after his hard work in the Ranji Trophy and other competitions?

Could this be the end of Mohammed Shami’s time playing for India?#MohammedShami #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/z2nI0ipjhL

— Rohit Sharma Fan (@hitmanfanfollow) November 5, 2025

No Mohammed Shami for South Africa Tests!

He’s played all three Ranji Trophy games for Bengal this season, picking 15 wickets at 15.53, SR 37.2#Shami #INDvSA

— Vishwa Prakash Yadav (@vishwaprakash09) November 5, 2025

India’s test squad against South Africa

Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper, vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammad Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.