Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir arrive in Kolkata for South Africa Test series

Originally posted on Crictoday | By V.M.Suriya Narayanan | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 5:21 AM ET

The build-up to India’s Test series against South Africa kicked off in Kolkata as players have started arriving in the city. Captain Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar were accompanied by coach Gautam Gambhir, on Sunday evening.

Shubman Gill will captain the team, with Rishabh Pant returning to Test cricket as vice-captain after missing action since the England tour in July 2025.

KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and other members of the squad are expected to arrive on Monday, with full-fledged training to start at Eden Gardens the following day. The first Test is scheduled for 14 November in Kolkata, with the second match to be played in Guwahati from 22 November.

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India returned home from their Australian tour. The Men in Blue lost the ODI series but went on ho win T20I assignment by a margin of 2-1. Team India will now focus on the World Test Championship.

Meanwhile, Pant last competed in whites during the Manchester Test against England, where a delivery from Chris Woakes fractured his toe. His recent leadership stint with India A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence will help him against the Proteas.

After a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England and a dominant home win over the West Indies, the sub-continent team is in a strong position.

When the Proteas last visited in 2019, India swept the series 3-0 with commanding victories in Vizag, Pune, and Ranchi.

This article first appeared on Crictoday and was syndicated with permission.

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