Playing in a Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata has thrilled India captain Shubman Gill. This will take place during the forthcoming first Test of the two-match series between South Africa and India, which begins on November 14. Shubman Gill will captain the team against the Proteas in addition to playing his maiden red-ball international at among of the nation’s most famous stadiums.
But for those who were born in Punjab, Kolkata is nothing new. It was there that he began playing in the Indian Premier League during his first season with the Kolkata Knight Riders. After making his debut in 2018, Shubman Gill played for KKR until 2021, at which point he joined the Gujarat Titans in 2022. The 26-year-old has remarked that he gets a feeling of being home when he comes to Kolkata to play a game of cricket.
“I cherish a lot of memories at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. My IPL career started here [with Kolkata Knight Riders] and this is one ground whenever I come here I definitely feel like how I feel in the PCA training when we are playing in Punjab, but it’s a similar feeling whenever I’m coming here.
And yes, we are playing a match here after six years,” Shubman Gill stated prior to the first Test against South Africa on Monday.
Leading #TeamIndia in his first Test outing at the iconic Eden Gardens 🏟️
🗣️🎥 Captain Shubman Gill is ready to live a special moment in the 1⃣st #INDvSA Test 🙌@IDFCFIRSTBank | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/1MRPTr4Fa4
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 13, 2025
Since 2019, India has not played a Test match in Kolkata. The most recent match was against Bangladesh, when both teams played their first-ever Day-Night Test match. Despite being a member of the team, Shubman Gill did not play in that match, which saw the Virat Kohli-led team defeat the Bangla Tigers by an innings and 46 runs.
“The Pink Ball Test match [against Bangladesh] was our most recent test match. Additionally, I watched the test match from outside even though I wasn’t involved. I was a member of the team. It is a great pleasure for me to be able to captain my country here, and tomorrow will be my first test match at Eden Gardens,” Shubman Gill continued.
In Test cricket, Gill will be looking to continue his and his team’s stellar run of play. The current World Test Championship winners, captained by Temba Bavuma, will present the Indians with a formidable task, though. The second and last game of the tour’s red-ball phase will take place in Guwahati following the Kolkata Test.
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