South Africa captain Temba Bavuma elected to bat after winning the toss for the opening test against India on Friday, but the visitors will be without Kagiso Rabada at Eden Gardens as the pace spearhead misses out due to a rib injury.
Seam bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch replaces Rabada.
“It’s on the dry side, not much grass,” said Bavuma, who is returning to the side after a calf injury. “It’s a typical Indian wicket. First-innings runs is the key.”
India picked a four-pronged spin attack with Kuldeep Yadav joined by three spin-bowling all-rounders. One of them, Washington Sundar, will replace B Sai Sudharsan at number three in India’s batting order.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant returns from a foot injury while Dhruv Jurel, who impressed as replacement keeper in the home series against West Indies, will play as a batter.
“These two test matches for us are very crucial and we’re as hungry as ever,” India captain Shubman Gill said.
“It’s going to be a good surface for the first couple of days and then, hopefully, we’ll get some turn as the game goes on.”
Teams:
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj
(Reuters)