Renewed rivalry: On the India, South Africa first Test, at Eden Gardens

India vs South Africa

India will be keen to move ahead in the new cricket Test cycle

Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, one of cricket’s hallowed venues, will again host South Africa. Back in 1991, when South Africa was readmitted to cricket following the withdrawal of apartheid and the consequent lifting of a 21-year sporting ban, it was the eastern metropolis that rolled out the red carpet to Clive Rice and his men. The first ODI was played at a packed Eden on November 10, 2025, one in which India prevailed, and 34 years later, another Protean unit led by Temba Bavuma will clash against Shubman Gill’s men in the first Test commencing on Friday (November 14, 2025). In a fresh cycle, South Africa, the defending champion in the ICC World Test Championship, is up against India, often an indomitable force in its own backyard. That the tour of England was drawn at 2-2 in the longest format and the subsequent Tests against the West Indies at home were swept aside, is a pointer to the form and ability of Gill’s unit despite the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin and the continued absence of Mohammed Shami. The first two may still be playing ODIs, but this truly is Gill’s era and five tons in his last seven Tests reveals a batter finding an extra gear when given the extra responsibility of captaincy.