India vs South Africa 1st Test match is set to begin on November 14, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, marking a significant return of Test cricket to this historic venue after six years. India will be led by Shubman Gill, with a strong squad featuring experienced players like Rishabh Pant (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and promising talents like Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel. South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, will counter with a balanced side including pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, all-rounders like Wiaan Mulder, and spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj.
Both teams have prepared meticulously, considering the pitch’s tendency to favour spinners later in the game, as reflected in team selections featuring multiple frontline spinners on both sides. The match promises to be a tactical duel on a ground that has historically witnessed captivating Test cricket moments.
Top wicket-takers at Eden Gardens in Tests: India and South Africa
Historically, several bowlers from both India and South Africa have excelled at Eden Gardens. Among Indian bowlers, Harbhajan Singh leads the list with 46 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 21.76 and an economy of 2.41. His best innings performance here is 7/87. Anil Kumble follows with 40 wickets from 8 matches, known for his impactful spells at this venue with his best innings figures being 7/63. Among pacers, Mohammed Shami has been effective with 23 wickets in 4 matches, showcasing impressive strike rates and economy. These bowlers have historically exploited the Eden Gardens pitch effectively for spin and seam bowling alike.
Top wicket takers at Eden Gardens (India)
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Balls | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W | 10W |
| Harbhajan Singh | 1999-2010 | 7 | 13 | 2491 | 415.1 | 103 | 1001 | 46 | 7/87 | 21.76 | 2.41 | 54.15 | – | 6 | 1 |
| Anil Kumble | 1993-2007 | 8 | 15 | 2954 | 492.2 | 129 | 1233 | 40 | 7/63 | 30.82 | 2.50 | 73.85 | – | 2 | 1 |
| Mohammed Shami | 2013-2019 | 4 | 8 | 725 | 120.5 | 19 | 446 | 23 | 5/47 | 19.39 | 3.69 | 31.52 | 2 | 1 | – |
On the South African side, Lance Klusener stands out with 8 wickets from just 1 match, including a remarkable 8/64 innings performance at Eden Gardens. Makhaya Ntini and Allan Donald have also made their marks with 5 and 3 wickets respectively in limited outings here, often using pace and reverse swing to challenge Indian batters. South Africa’s spin arsenal with players like Keshav and Harmer will play a crucial role in this Test owing to the pitch conditions favouring spin in the later stages.
Top wicket takers at Eden Gardens (South Africa)
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Balls | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W | 10W |
| Lance Klusener | 1996-1996 | 1 | 2 | 213 | 35.3 | 5 | 139 | 8 | 8/64 | 17.37 | 3.91 | 26.62 | – | 1 | – |
| Makhaya Ntini | 2004-2004 | 1 | 2 | 288 | 48.0 | 9 | 123 | 5 | 4/112 | 24.60 | 2.56 | 57.60 | 1 | – | – |
| Allan Donald | 1996-1996 | 1 | 1 | 128 | 21.2 | 4 | 72 | 3 | 3/72 | 24.00 | 3.37 | 42.66 | – | – | – |
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Top Run-Getters at Eden Gardens in Tests for India and South Africa
In terms of batting, VVS Laxman has been the most prolific Indian run-scorer at Eden Gardens with 1,217 runs in 10 matches at an outstanding average of 110.63, including 5 centuries and 3 fifties. Rahul Dravid also boasts an impressive record here with 962 runs in 9 matches at a 68.71 average, known for his solid technique and temperament on this ground. Sachin Tendulkar’s contributions can’t be overlooked either, having amassed 872 runs in 13 matches with a high score of 176 and maintaining an average of 45.89, reflecting his class at this historic stadium.
Top 5 run getters at Eden Gardens (India)
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 0 | 4s | 6s |
| VVS Laxman | 1996-2011 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 1217 | 281 | 110.63 | 2192 | 55.52 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 158 | 1 |
| Rahul Dravid | 1996-2011 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 962 | 180 | 68.71 | 2138 | 44.99 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 109 | 3 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1993-2013 | 13 | 21 | 2 | 872 | 176 | 45.89 | 1610 | 54.16 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 130 | 3 |
For South Africa, Hashim Amla leads with 263 runs from 2 matches with a high score of 123* and a striking average of 87.66. Gary Kirsten’s memorable 235 runs in a single match, including a 133-run innings, highlight his dominance on Indian pitches. Jacques Kallis, one of the finest all-rounders, accumulated 206 runs at Eden Gardens in 2 matches with an average over 50, showcasing his ability to anchor South African innings under pressure.
Top 5 run getters at Eden Gardens (South Africa)
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 0 | 4s | 6s |
| Hashim Amla | 2004-2010 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 263 | 123* | 87.66 | 629 | 41.81 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| Gary Kirsten | 1996-1996 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 235 | 133 | 117.50 | 366 | 64.20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| Jacques Kallis | 2004-2010 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 206 | 121 | 51.50 | 430 | 47.90 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
The upcoming 1st Test is pivotal for both teams as they aim to set the tone for the series. The battle between top-tier batters and high-impact bowlers on a pitch known for its challenging yet fair conditions promise an enthralling contest.
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