Kolkata: The much-anticipated first Test of the two-match series between India and South Africa is set to begin on Friday, 14 November, at the historic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. With South Africa being the current World Test Champions and having impressed recently on Pakistani pitches, all eyes are on this opening match of the series.

Weather Outlook: No Rain Threat

Kolkata is expected to remain clear throughout the match. On Thursday, the sun shone brightly, and the skies were clear. Meteorologists have confirmed no rain forecast from 14–18 November, ensuring uninterrupted play. Temperatures are likely to range from 18°C in the morning to 30°C during the afternoon, with humidity levels around 60–70%, typical for November. Light winds may provide bowlers with some assistance, but overall, the five-day match is expected to enjoy excellent playing conditions.

Pitch Report: Balanced with Spin Potential

The Eden Gardens pitch has attracted considerable attention ahead of the Test. Pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has indicated that the surface may offer slight turn from the third day onwards, while still providing a good contest between bat and ball.

• Early Play: Fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj can expect some swing and bounce in the morning sessions. South African pacers will also enjoy similar conditions.
• Mid-Match: As the sun dries the pitch further, stroke-makers may find batting slightly easier, with predictable bounce encouraging confident shot-making.
• Later Days: By the third and fourth days, spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar are likely to get significant turn, testing the skills of the South African batsmen. Similarly, Indian batsmen will have to contend with South Africa’s spin attack, which includes Keshav Maharaj and two other experienced spinners, who have recently performed well on subcontinental pitches in Pakistan.

Importance of the Toss

Winning the toss at Eden Gardens will be crucial. In the current Ranji Trophy season, teams that batted first after winning the toss have set strong foundations. With no rain to preserve moisture, the pitch is expected to dry out by the second day and begin deteriorating gradually. Turn is likely to become more pronounced after approximately 150 overs, making batting against spinners particularly challenging on the final day.

Live Broadcast Details

The Test match will start daily at 9:30 AM IST, with the toss scheduled for 9:00 AM IST. Live coverage will be available on Star Sports, and streaming can be enjoyed via the JioCinema app.

Cricket fans can expect an exciting contest as India and South Africa battle at one of the world’s most iconic venues, with the pitch offering a balance between pace and spin to challenge both teams.