For the first time in their history of Test cricket, the Indian men’s cricket team is playing a match with six left-handed batters in the playing XI. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant,
Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are part of India’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa, which kicked off at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday, November 14.
On multiple occasions in the past, India has played a Test match with four lefties in the XI, but after 596 matches, six left-handed batters are part of India’s playing XI at Eden Gardens.
India’s playing XI for 1st Test against South Africa in Kolkata
| BATTING POSITION | BATTER | BATTING STYLE |
| 1. | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Left-handed |
| 2. | KL Rahul | Right-handed |
| 3. | Washington Sundar | Left-handed |
| 4. | Shubman Gill (C) | Right-handed |
| 5. | Rishabh Pant (WK) | Left-handed |
| 6. | Ravindra Jadeja | Left-handed |
| 7. | Dhruv Jurel | Right-handed |
| 8. | Axar Patel | Left-handed |
| 9. | Kuldeep Yadav | Left-handed |
| 10. | Jasprit Bumrah | Right-handed |
| 11. | Mohammed Siraj | Right-handed |
For the first Test of the Freedom Trophy, India have made two changes to their playing XI. Tamil Nadu’s B Sai Sudharsan has been dropped from the playing XI along with Nitish Kumar Reddy. Rishabh Pant is back in the side and the 28-year-old is playing as a specialist batter. Axar Patel is also part of India’s playing XI for the first time since February 2024.
No Rabada, Brevis for SA
Star South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is not playing the ongoing first Test in Kolkata due to a rib injury, but Temba Bavuma is back in South Africa’s playing XI after missing the two-match Test series in Pakistan last month. Dewald Brevis is also out of the side, and surprisingly there was no place for Senuran Muthusamy as well.
Muthusamy performed exceptionally well with the ball in the two Tests against South Africa, and he also made headlines for his batting in the first innings of the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Playing XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (C), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs,
Kyle Verreynne (WK), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj
