Former Indian spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has once again targeted Gautam Gambhir. Before the India vs South Africa third ODI, Ashwin said that Gautam Gambhir should ensure that Washington Sundar is clearly explained his role. Sundar has not been able to perform well with neither bat nor ball in this series. He was sent to bat at number 5 in the first ODI and at number six in the second ODI.

In the first 2 ODI matches against South Africa, Washington Sundar has scored 13 and one runs respectively. Whereas in bowling he could not take even a single wicket. In both the matches, he was made to bowl only 7 overs. Earlier in the Test series, Sundar was sent to bat at number-3, but in the very next match, he was sent back to the lower order.

Ashwin angry at Gambhir

Regarding the turmoil in the batting order, Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “When you are playing Washington Sundar, first of all you have to consider him as a bowler who can also bat. You should make him bowl the entire overs. If he keeps bowling, then his mentality will also be that of a bowler who can bat. If he keeps bowling a few overs and keeps batting in any order, then he will start losing his identity.”

Ashwin further said that the team management should not let Sundar go in such a situation from where he cannot understand anything. According to Ashwin, Sundar should get a clear answer regarding his role.

no finisher in the team

Ravichandran Ashwin also raised the question that Team India currently does not have any player who can finish the game. In the second ODI, Team India had scored 284 runs in 40 overs, but after that only 74 runs were scored in the last 10 overs. Ashwin said that in the absence of Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who hits big shots like him, is sitting on the bench.

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The Indian cricket team could not defend the big total of 358 runs in the last match. South Africa won by 4 wickets and leveled the series at 1-1. Now the decisive match of the series will be played on Saturday, 6 December at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. A major change is possible in the playing 11 of Team India.

Virat Kohli is in great form, he has scored centuries in both the matches of the series. His record in Visakhapatnam is also excellent, he has scored 3 centuries in ODIs on this ground. Team India’s record is also good on this ground, which is a good thing for KL Rahul as captain. However, they will be most worried about the toss, which Team India has not won in the last 2 years.

There may be a change in the playing 11 of Team India

India did win the first ODI played in Ranchi, but even there the situation got worse while defending a big total (349). Arshdeep Singh bowled well in the last match, he took 2 wickets for 54 runs in 10 overs. Prasidh Krishna also took 2 wickets, but he proved to be very expensive. Krishna gave away 85 runs in 8.2 overs with an economy of 10.20. Although he can play in the third match also.

Harshit Rana had given a good start in the first ODI, but in the second match he conceded 70 runs in 10 overs. Kuldeep Yadav also gave 78 runs with an economy of 7.80. Ravindra Jadeja is an experienced all-rounder, he was economical. But India would not like to tamper with this bowling combination, Nitish Kumar Reddy may return in the playing 11.

Who will be out?

All-rounder Washington Sundar may be out of the third ODI. His performance in the last two matches was not very good. He could not take any wicket in both the ODIs against South Africa, while scoring 13 runs in the first match and only 1 run in the second match.

India’s probable playing eleven

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (captain and wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.

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.