Reverse swing may be expected in Kolkata for the Test match between India and South Africa

India vs South Africa 1st Test: Reverse swing may be expected in Kolkata for the Test match between India and South Africa

Eden Gardens Kolkata, is all set to host the first Test match between India and South Africa, starting from November 14.

The first Test between India and South Africa begins on November 14 in Kolkata, and reverse swing is expected to play a big role. The pitch at Eden Gardens is made of black soil and has very little grass, which means it will likely get rough quickly. That roughness helps fast bowlers get reverse swing, especially in the second half of the match.

The surface will offer good bounce early on but is expected to slow down as the game progresses. Batters might find it harder to score freely after the first couple of days. Interestingly, Eden Gardens has been a happy hunting ground for fast bowlers over the last 15 years, with pacers taking 61% of the wickets in red-ball Tests here.

Cooler temperatures in the morning and evening could also help seamers with some movement. The outfield is fast, so runs will come quickly if batters can find gaps, but the slowing pitch will test their patience and technique.

South Africa arrive in India after a strong performance in Pakistan, where their spinners dominated on turning tracks. Senuran Muthusamy was named Player of the Series, while Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer also did well. However, conditions in Kolkata will be different, and their fast bowlers might have more of a role to play.

This will be South Africa’s fourth Test at Eden Gardens. They won their first match here in 1996 but lost the next two in 2004 and 2010. The last Test at this venue was a pink-ball match in 2019, and the last red-ball Test was in 2017, which ended in a draw.