Proteas Assemble in Full Strength for Eden Gardens Clash
The South African cricket team has completed its assembly in Kolkata, with captain Temba Bavuma being the final key player to join the squad on Monday morning. This marks the full gathering of the visiting contingent ahead of the highly anticipated opening Test against India, scheduled to begin at the historic Eden Gardens on Friday.
Arrival and Team Composition
The initial group of South African players, which included head coach Shukri Conrad and pace spearheads Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, had already touched down in the city on Sunday. They were accompanied by members who participated in the recent white-ball series in Pakistan.
"Bavuma, along with another player and a few officials, arrived this morning from Bengaluru. Most of the squad including the head coach had already checked in on Sunday," confirmed the South African team's local manager. With no training scheduled for Monday at the Eden Gardens, both teams are expected to hold their first practice sessions on Tuesday.
Bavuma's Return to Form
The arrival of skipper Bavuma is particularly significant. He was returning from a calf strain that had sidelined him during the start of South Africa's World Test Championship campaign in Pakistan. He regained match fitness by featuring for the South Africa 'A' side in their second unofficial Test against India A in Bengaluru.
While he was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings, Bavuma showcased his resilience with a determined 101-ball 59 in the second innings. This valuable knock played a pivotal role in helping the 'A' team secure a five-wicket victory in the final match of the series, which concluded on Sunday.
Indian Contingent and Broader Context
On the Indian side, the players returning from the Australia white-ball series have also begun arriving. The group, which includes head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel, checked into Kolkata late on Sunday. The remaining members of the Indian squad are expected to join in batches throughout the day.
This two-match series holds importance for both teams in the context of the 2025-27 World Test Championship. For India, this is their final Test assignment of the year. Under Shubman Gill's new leadership, the team began their WTC campaign by drawing a tough five-match series in England 2-2, followed by a 2-0 home sweep against the West Indies.
Similarly, for the reigning World Test champions, South Africa, this is also their last red-ball series of the year. Their next Test engagement is not until September of the following year, when they host Australia.
