As the Indian team prepares for the first Test match against South Africa at the famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata, skipper Shubman Gill has thrown light on the biggest challenge facing the team management – the right playing XI. With India having several quality all-rounders, Gill conceded that it is “far from easy” to finalise the lineup for the series opener.
India will open the two-match Test series on November 14, which will be their return to home red ball action after a long cycle of playing on their nature.
Gill Accepts Difficult Decisions For All-Rounder Department
India’s team for the first Test has three frontline all-rounders — Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Meanwhile, young all-rounder Nitish Reddy has been dropped for the first match and is likely to be part of the squad for the second Test.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference Gill said the plethora of versatile players has brought healthy competition.
“We have several excellent all-rounders right now, which is a great sign for the team. All of them have strong batting and bowling records, especially in Indian conditions. But that also makes team selection difficult because you can’t fit everyone in,” Gill said.
“It’s a tough call, but it’s a good problem to have.”
India’s captain also complimented visiting South African team which again reminded reporters that the Proteas are still one of the most competitive Test sides in the world.
“South Africa are the current champions. They drew the last series against us, and they always bring a strong contest. We expect the series to be intense and exciting,” Gill added.
South Africa, with their pace battery and aggressive style of playing in Test cricket, have always been the challengers of India in subcontinent conditions.
Gill had a remarkable year in Test cricket
Shubman Gill is brought into the Test series in the form of his life. After a ruling run in England, in which he finished 754 runs in the five matches played, Gill now has 979 runs in 15 innings this 2025 year.
He is only 21 runs from becoming the first batter in 2025 to cross the 1000 runs mark in Test cricket, a landmark he is almost certain to reach in the Kolkata Test.
This would also be the first time in his career Gill would score 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year.
Eden Gardens: One of the Special Venues of the Indian Captain
Gill spoke emotionally about coming back to Eden Gardens — a stadium that played a key role in his cricketing journey.
“Eden Gardens has always been special for me. My IPL career started here, and every time I play at this ground, it feels like I’m back at PCA Stadium in Punjab,” Gill said.
He also revealed that though he was part of the squad in the last Test in India at Eden Gardens in 2019, he was not in the playing XI.
This match therefore will be his first Test match at the venue — and his first as India’s Test captain at Kolkata.
“Captaining India at Eden Gardens is an honour I will always cherish.”
1st Test
Match: India vs South Africa, 1st Test
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Date: November 14–18, 2025
Focus: All-rounder balance, Gill’s quest for 1,000 runs, India’s spin depth