India vs South Africa 1st Test LIVE Score: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj look to run riot early as Bavuma opts to bat

A lot for both teams to think about on a surface that is shaping up to be an excellent one for a game of cricket, with quality to burn on either side.

India vs South Africa Test matches head-to-head

India and South Africa have a tight record in their head-to-head contests, with the Proteas shading it by just two games at the time being. South Africa have won 18 Test matches, while India have won 16.

However, the story is very different when it comes to the recent past, particularly on Indian soil. In the last two tours, India have won 7 of the 8 matches, not losing a single one. They have also remained competitive in South Africa: in the two series held this decade, India have won 2 of the 5 matches against the Proteas, but haven’t been able to win a series there yet.

India vs South Africa playing XI

India have finalized a spin-heavy, all-rounder-focused XI for the upcoming Test, reflecting their flexible approach with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar anchoring the spin department. Rishabh Pant returns alongside Dhruv Jurel, with Nitish Kumar Reddy missing due to injury, further tipping the balance in favour of spin. Sai Sudharsan has been dropped to accommodate Axar Patel.

India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa have named a largely familiar XI for the Test, but pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is forced to miss out due to injury. Skipper Temba Bavuma returns to lead the side, while spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer will pose a threat to India with their contrasting styles. The rest of the lineup resembles the team that featured in the WTC final, with Aiden Markram and Bavuma expected to anchor the batting.

South Africa Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.

India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test Day 1:

- Sai Sudharsan had to sit out as India decided to add spin depth in the line-up by including Axar Patel in the XI.

- Shubman Gill faced more bad luck at the toss as South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won and chose to bat first.

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