In preparation for the first Test match against India, which is scheduled to start at the Eden Gardens on Friday, November 14, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma joined the national team in Kolkata on Monday morning, completing the visitors’ full-strength lineup. The last player to join the senior squad was Temba Bavuma, who most recently played for the South Africa “A” team in their unofficial Test series against India A in Bengaluru.
On Sunday morning, the first set of South African players, which included pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, head coach Shukri Conrad, and players returning from the white-ball series in Pakistan, landed in Kolkata.
Temba Bavuma made his competitive cricket comeback with the “A” series after missing the beginning of South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC) campaign in Pakistan because of a calf strain. He now adds significant leadership experience and bolsters South Africa’s batting line as the team attempts to get off to a fast start in the crucial two-match Test series against India.
“Temba Bavuma arrived from Bengaluru this morning, accompanied by a few officials and another player.
The head coach and the majority of the team had already arrived on Sunday. The entire South African contingent is now present. Eden doesn’t have any planned activities today. Tuesday is probably when both sides would have their first training session, according to the local manager of Proteas, who was cited by India Today.
Under the guidance of Marques Ackerman, Temba Bavuma shown his tenacity by scoring a tough 59 off 101 balls in the second innings of the second unofficial Test in Bengaluru. This helped the South Africa “A” team win by five wickets and tie the series at one. His ability to remain composed under duress confirmed that he is ready for the forthcoming Test series against India.
Another outstanding player from the “A” team, middle-order batsman Zubayr Hamza, has also joined the starting lineup. Hamza, who is well-known for his ability to manage spin, contributed significantly in both games, including a pivotal 77-run innings in the final at the Centre of Excellence.
Following their limited-overs tour of Australia, the Indian team’s first group of players, which included all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel, skipper Shubman Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Jasprit Bumrah, arrived in Kolkata late on Sunday. It is anticipated that the remaining members, including Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, will come shortly.
As the teams get ready for the inaugural Test, which starts on Friday, they will start their first training sessions at Eden Gardens on Tuesday.
Before they play Afghanistan in June 2026, this series is India’s only red-ball match of 2025. This will also be South Africa’s final Test series of the year; they will host Australia and England in back-to-back series in September 2026.
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