South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat against India in the first Test on Friday, with pace bowler Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to an injury.
Reigning world Test champions South Africa come fresh from a 1-1 draw in Pakistan and begin the two-match series at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
Corbin Bosch made it to the team in place of Rabada, who missed out due to a rib injury in a major blow to the visitors.
LIVE SCORING: PROTEAS VS INDIA
Bavuma, returning to action after an injury, said “first innings runs is the key”.
South Africa beat Australia to win the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s in June.
India, led by Shubman Gill, picked four spinners, including three all-rounders, on a pitch that is expected to offer turn as the match progresses.
Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel comprise the slow-bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the pace bowlers.
Fit-again wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant returned to the team in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Teams
India
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
South Africa
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Rod Tucker (AUS)
TV Umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
Match Referee: Richie Richardson (WIS)
‘Big statement’
The Proteas head into the match against India looking to once again make a big statement as the holders of the World Test Championship mace.
It’s undoubtedly going to be a massive challenge coming up against India at their fortress in Kolkata, but last month they were able to salvage a series draw against Pakistan, with that victory in Rawalpindi providing the Proteas with just their third win in the subcontinent in a decade.
Now in Kolkata for the first Test against India, it will be fascinating to see how the Proteas progress, with play getting under way at 06:00 (SA time) on Friday.
Positive mind set
Although the Proteas will be clear underdogs in India, coach Shukri Conrad said they were determined to rewrite history and end a barren run that has seen them record just one victory in their last 10 Tests in India.
“Previously, when you came to India for the first time, it had a certain beauty about it – you could be in awe and taken aback by the occasion,” he said.
“I think because our guys are comfortable in the environment and with the opposition, thanks to their involvement in the IPL, it’s slightly easier for us to adapt to the conditions.
“It’s still going to be a helluva difficult Test, but I’m quietly confident that we can make history of our own here, and even go on to win in India.”
For the first time in decades, South African cricket will not host play a Boxing Day Test as the SA20 starts on 26 December instead, and so captain Temba Bavuma said they were fully aware of the need to cherish this opportunity.
“This Test series becomes our festive season for us. So, we’ll try and make the most of it. I think, obviously, a lot of support and appreciation has been given to us for being victors,” said Bavuma.
“We’d love to play against teams like India, England and Australia. We will have this opportunity in the Test cycle. Maybe not just two Tests, maybe three Tests. That would be fun. But we’ll take what we have at this point in time.”
