Pant returns, South Africa bat first in Kolkata Test

Kolkata, Nov 14 Rishabh Pant made a return to the Indian playing XI as the wicketkeeper-batsman replaced Nitesh Kumar Reddy for the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens.

Axar Patel also returned, giving India a balanced combination of batting and spin options.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat first.

Captain Shubman Gill described the surface as promising for both pacers and spinners.

“It looks like a good surface. There’s a bit in it for the fast bowlers. The dressing room is good, this bunch is very hungry. This Test series is very important. There’ll be some turn as the game goes on,” Gill said.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first.

“We will have a bat. The boys came back from Pakistan. Preparation-wise, we’ve done as best as we can. Looking forward to the challenge. We need to keep doing what we do. The pitch looks dry, runs in the first innings will be the key,” Bavuma said. Kagiso Rabada missed out, with Corbin Bosch drafted into the playing XI.

Teams:
South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma(c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne(w), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav

Maharaj 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

Source: UNI News

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