India vs South Africa Match Prediction, 1st Test Cricket Preview, H2H, Pitch Report and More

India vs South Africa 1st Test Match Preview

The 1st Test between India and South Africa of the South Africa Tour of India 2025 will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 14th November 2025, starting at 09:30 AM IST. The live telecast and streaming will be available on JioCinema.

India will enter this Test series with strong momentum, having recently defeated the West Indies 2–0 at home and maintaining an excellent run of form in their recent matches. Players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have been consistent with the bat, while Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah continue to dominate with the ball.

Meanwhile, South Africa are also in confident form after a commanding 2–0 series win over Pakistan. Their lineup, led by Temba Bavuma and supported by all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, looks well balanced. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj will be key figures in exploiting the conditions at Eden Gardens.

India vs South Africa Pitch Report

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Pitch Report:

The surface at Eden Gardens traditionally offers assistance to both pacers and spinners. According to reports, the pace and spin bowling conditions are average, while the batting surface is balanced—ensuring a fair contest between bat and ball. Early morning sessions could offer some swing movement for the seamers, but as the match progresses, spinners are likely to come into play.

IND vs SA Recent Form and Key Analysis

Both India and South Africa come into the first Test in strong form, setting up what promises to be a tightly contested encounter in Kolkata. India have won four of their last five Tests, including convincing victories over the West Indies and a hard-fought series against England. Their top order, led by Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, has provided consistent starts, while the pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah continues to excel in home conditions. The balance between India's solid batting and disciplined bowling attack remains one of their biggest strengths heading into this series.

South Africa, on the other hand, have been equally impressive, winning four of their last five Tests with commanding performances against Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Australia. Their success has come through a mix of disciplined batting from Temba Bavuma and Wiaan Mulder, along with the ever-reliable bowling combination of Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj. The Proteas have shown great adaptability across conditions and will be eager to challenge India in their own backyard.

India vs South Africa Head to head

Looking at their recent head-to-head record, South Africa have held the upper hand, winning three of the last five encounters. However, India's familiarity with the Eden Gardens pitch and their strong home record could prove decisive. Expect an intriguing battle between India's fast bowlers and South Africa's top order, where early wickets could heavily influence the direction of the match.

Who will win? India vs South Africa Match Prediction

Both teams arrive in excellent form, but India's dominance at home and their well-balanced squad give them a slight edge. Expect a competitive five-day contest, where the outcome will likely hinge on the first-innings batting performance.

Prediction: India to win the 1st Test narrowly.