Media365
Former India cricket player Akash Chopra has expressed disagreement with India’s decision to exclude Sai from the first test match playing XI in Kolkata on Friday.“Sai should’ve played in this Test. India will be under-bowling at least one if not two bowlers in this Test,” he wrote on X.In the morning session of the first cricket test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets while conceding just nine runs as India mounted a comeback.South Africa, after winning the toss, started aggressively scoring 57 runs without loss in the first hour. They ended the first session at 105-3 in 27 overs.Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi remained unbeaten at the break, scoring 22 and 15 runs, respectively.Indian captain Shubman Gill’s poor luck with tosses continued as he lost his seventh toss in eight tests, with South Africa choosing to bat first.South African openers made a strong start with Aiden Markram scoring 31 and Ryan Rickelton contributing 23 runs.The visitors’ position weakened as they slipped from 57-0 to 71-3 within 5.3 overs. However, Mulder and de Zorzi stabilized the innings with a 34-run partnership off 66 balls.South Africa made changes to their lineup as Kagiso Rabada sat out due to a rib injury, with Corbin Bosch stepping in. The team selected two spinners, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj.The Proteas haven’t secured a test victory in India since 2015, with their last test series win dating back to 2000-01 under Hansie Cronje’s leadership.Eden Gardens in Kolkata is hosting its first test match since the 2019 day-night contest between India and Bangladesh.The second test is scheduled at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium from November 22, marking its debut as a men’s test venue after hosting several Women’s Cricket World Cup matches in 2025.In recent matches, India defeated West Indies 2-0, with Yadav taking 12 wickets, while South Africa drew their two-test series 1-1 in Pakistan.
