Shubman Gill came to the press conference on Thursday before the first test between India vs South Africa starting from Friday in Kolkata, where he said that this test will be competitive. He said for the visiting team that it is a good team and we have to play the World Test Championship final and in that respect this is an important series.

Shubman Gill said, “We have two Tests in this series, this is an important series to play the World Test Championship final. South Africa is a very good team, they are the winners of the World Test Championship. We know that it will not be easy for us, difficult situations will come but I think as a team we have shown that whenever difficult situations have come, we have handled them very well.”

Shubman Gill spoke about the pitch of Eden Gardens

Gill further said, “As far as the wicket is concerned, it looks like a typical Indian wicket. And it is going to be a very good match.”

Gill was asked in the press conference that you are coming from another country now, the weather is changing, the format is also changing. On this, Gill said, “Of course, coming from another country and playing another format here in 3-4 days is not that easy. Mentally, it is more challenging. The time zone in Australia was different, so it takes time for the body to adapt to it. As a cricketer, you know that all these challenges will come, how you handle it, this is what tells your greatness.”

Gill further said, “According to the way they have played the last series, they have come out with a draw. It is difficult for any country when they come and play in Asia and they are doing well. That is why they are the World Test Championship champions, this will be a good series.”

India and South Africa squad

India: Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wicket keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket keeper), Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa: Dewald Brewis, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony De Jorji, Tristan Stubbs, Zuboor Hamza, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Marco Janssen, Senuran Muthusamy, Willem Mulder, Kyle Vergne (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer.

BCCI has announced Team India for the Test series against South Africa. Rishabh Pant has returned to the team as vice-captain. This will be India’s third Test series in the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. See which players have got a place in this team under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, who is out in place of Pant.

BCCI announced the team by issuing a press release on Wednesday. Along with the national team, the board also announced the India ‘A’ team for the 3-match ODI series against South Africa ‘A’. Tilak Verma has been made its captain.

This player returned to the team along with Rishabh Pant

Pant was injured in the fourth Test on the England tour, in which his toe was fractured. After that he was out of Asia Cup, Test series against West Indies and Australia tour. He has returned after more than 100 days.

Akash Deep has also returned to the team. Due to Pant’s arrival, N Jagadeesan had to be out of the team. Akash Deep has come in place of fast bowler Prasidh Krishna.

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.

India vs South Africa Test Schedule

• First Test – 14 to 18 November, 9:30 am (Eden Gardens)
• Second Test- 22 to 26 November, 9:30 am (Assam Cricket Association).

News #TeamIndia squad for Test series against South Africa and India A squad against South Africa A announced.

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— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2025