While India coach Gautam Gambhir said the onus was with the players, the selection calls made by the team management are a bit perplexing. They may have won the game if Gill could bat, but that still doesn't explain why they needed four spinners along with two outright pacers.

IND vs SA, 1st Test: What went wrong for India in Kolkata - pitch or selection?

India opted to two pacers in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj along with Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist spinner. They also had Washington Sundar, who batter at number three, and Axar Patel as two spin all-rounders. The selection meant India were made to sit out a specialist batter.

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad calls out 'over-tactical thinking' for loss

IND vs SA, 1st Test | Play on good wickets. Hope Gambhir is...': Ganguly's bold message to India head coach

Bavuma’s record as captain is now 11 Tests without a defeat, 10 wins and a draw, including the World Test Championship final win over Australia.

Temba Bavuma remains unbeaten as Test captain as South Africa stun India in Kolkata

As India fell short by 30 runs against South Africa on Sunday (Nov 16), here’s a look at the five lowest victory margins recorded at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

5 lowest victory margin at Eden Gardens in Test cricket

IND vs SA, 1st Test: South Africa stun India in Kolkata to take 1-0 lead; cricket fraternity says, 'sensational win'

IND vs SA, 1st Test: 'You want to be part of...', says SA skipper Temba Bavuma after emphatic win

India, playing at the Eden Gardens, were bowled out for 93 in their second innings as they lost by 30 runs as South Africa took a 1-0 lead in series. 

IND vs SA: Gambhir refuses to blame pitch for India's disappointing loss, says 'it was exactly what we asked'

As India chase a modest target of 124 in the fourth innings, here’s a look at the five lowest totals ever defended at Eden Gardens.

5 lowest targets defended at Eden Gardens in Test cricket

 The loss hits India hard in the WTC standings, while the defending champions climb from fifth to second, now trailing only Australia. South Africa also take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. 

WTC updated standings: South Africa leapfrog India in second position after dramatic win in Kolkata

Chasing a modest total of 124 runs, India were bowled out for 93 runs as Simon Harmer scalped four wickets. The win also means the defending World Test Champions take a 1-0 series lead in the two-match series.

IND vs SA: South Africa rock India in low-scoring thriller at Eden Gardens, take 1-0 lead in series

From Jasprit Bumrah to Anil Kumble here is a look at five Indian bowlers most five-wicket hauls in Tests. The list also consists the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh and Kapil Dev in honourbale mentions. 

From Jasprit Bumrah to Anil Kumble, 5 Indian bowlers most five-wicket hauls in Tests

As confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team, Shubman Gill is under observation and will miss the remainder of the Eden Gardens contest, which is likely to end on Day 3. 

IND vs SA: Shubman Gill to miss remainder of Kolkata Test, currently under observation in hospital

Rishabh Pant made history on Day 2 (Nov 15) at Eden Gardens by becoming the Indian with the most Test sixes. Now, let's glance at the five Indian cricketers with most sixes in Test cricket.

5 Indian batters with most sixes in Test cricket: Pant goes past Sehwag, no Kohli in list

Mohammed Siraj bounces back from a tough start, taking two crucial wickets in a single over as India bowls out South Africa for 159 and edges closer to a big win

IND vs SA, 1st Test | 'Just give me one over': What Mohammed Siraj told Shubman Gill as hosts dominate

 Proteas Skipper Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch were holding things together at stumps after a tough, low-scoring day in Kolkata. Earlier, India resumed from 37 for 1 but were bowled out for 189.

IND vs SA, 1st Test: South Africa hold 63-run lead as India bowled out for 189 on day 2

IND vs SA, 1st Test: South Africa breaks silence about 'bauna' remark at Proteas captain by Indian players

IND vs SA, 1st Test: India 37/1 on day 1 after Bumrah's five-for leaves Proteas bowled out of 159

After India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early for 12 on day 1 (Nov 14), everyone expected captain Shubman Gill to walk in at no. 3. Instead, this all-rounder came out to bat, surprising almost everyone who was watching.

IND vs SA: End of the road for Sai Sudharsan in Tests? THIS player makes surprise appearance at No.3

IND vs SA 1st Test: 'You prepare for the worst, you play for the best': Hashim Amla's advice for South African batters facing spin

It will be a great opportunity for Indian batters to consolidate on the start as they look to dominate the World Test Champions. 

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Bumrah five-for helps India bundle out Proteas for 159

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first as India made two chnages from their last Test win over the West Indies in October. The changes saw the return of Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel into the Playing XI. 

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Axar Patel makes red-ball return after Feb 2024; Pant joins Jurel in Playing XI

The defending WTC champions are set to face India in a two-match Test series, with the opening Test kicking off on Friday (Nov 14) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.


IND VS SA: Winning in India will be ..': Temba Bavuma ahead of Kolkata Test

The current World Test Champions, South Africa, will play a two-match Test series against India on their home soil, starting from Friday (Nov 14).

IND vs SA, 1st Test: 'God has been...', says India's vice-captain post comeback after nearly four months

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IND vs SA, 1st Test: What went wrong for India in Kolkata - pitch or selection?

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Ex-pacer Prasad calls out 'over-tactical thinking' for loss

IND vs SA, 1st Test | Play on good wickets. Hope Gambhir is...': Ganguly

Temba Bavuma remains unbeaten as Test captain as South Africa stun India

5 lowest victory margin at Eden Gardens in Test cricket

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Proteas stun India; cricket fraternity says, 'incredible'

IND vs SA, 1st Test: 'You want to be part of...', says SA skipper Temba Bavuma

IND vs SA: Gambhir refuses to blame pitch for India's disappointing loss

5 lowest targets defended at Eden Gardens in Test cricket

WTC updated standings: South Africa leapfrog India in second position

IND vs SA: South Africa rock India in low-scoring thriller at Eden Gardens

From Jasprit Bumrah to Anil Kumble, 5 Indian bowlers most Test five-wicket hauls

IND vs SA: Shubman Gill to miss remainder of Kolkata Test, confirms BCCI

5 Indian batters with most sixes in Test cricket: Pant goes past Sehwag, no Kohli in list

IND vs SA, 1st Test | 'Just give me...': What Siraj told Gill as hosts dominate

South Africa hold 63-run lead as India bowled out for 189 on day 2

IND vs SA, 1st Test: South Africa breaks silence about 'bauna' remark at Bavuma

IND vs SA, 1st Test: India 37/1 on day 1 after Bumrah takes five-for

IND vs SA: End of the road for Sai Sudharsan in Tests?

'You prepare for the worst, you play for the best': Amla's advice for SA batters

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Bumrah five-for helps India bundle out Proteas for 159

IND vs SA: Axar Patel makes red-ball return; Pant joins Jurel in Playing XI

IND VS SA: Winning in India will be ..': Temba Bavuma ahead of Kolkata Test

IND vs SA, 1st Test: 'God has been...', says India's vice-captain post comeback