Kolkata: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma struck a calm, confident tone as he won the toss and chose to bat in the opening Test against India at Eden Gardens on Friday.

Back in India as reigning World Test Champions, the Proteas began the series by embracing the pressure and expectation that now follows them.

Bavuma said his team had prepared well despite a tight schedule, with several players joining directly from the Pakistan tour.

He acknowledged that playing in front of 50,000–60,000 fans in Kolkata would be a challenge they rarely encounter back home but insisted the squad welcomed the energy.

The world champions’ tag, he said, has settled nicely inside the dressing room, but the real work starts now — proving they can carry that standard into every series.

The South Africa captain described the pitch as dry and typical for India, stressing the value of first-innings runs. In a notable surprise, Kagiso Rabada has been rested, with Corbin Bosch drafted into the XI.

South Africa field a three-pronged spin-pace hybrid attack built around Maharaj, Jansen and the experienced Harmer.

India, meanwhile, lined up with Rishabh Pant back behind the stumps and Dhruv Jurel retained purely as a batter following a prolific run with India A.

Their XI also confirms a spin-heavy combination, with Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar forming a three-spinner core backed by the pace of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Shubman Gill, looking to steer India toward the World Test Championship final, admitted the Proteas’ growing comfort in Asian conditions makes them dangerous.

South Africa’s recent 1–1 draw in Pakistan underlined that point, and Gill said his side must capitalise on home conditions, especially in the first session.

The Eden Gardens surface, however, brings its own mystery. While many associate Kolkata with spin, Day 1 at this venue has often offered seam and early movement — a trend seen with Suranga Lakmal in 2017, Matt Henry in 2016, and even Mohammed Shami in a recent domestic fixture.

Both captains hinted at early assistance for the quicks before the pitch settles and slow bowlers take control deeper into the match.

India enter the series with several sub-plots. Ravindra Jadeja is closing in on a historic double — 4,000 runs and 350 wickets — a milestone achieved only once in Indian cricket history by Kapil Dev.

Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, features amid news of his planned end-November wedding break, adding a personal dimension to the selection debate around him.

South Africa, chasing their first Test series win in India since 2000, begin the contest as underdogs but with renewed belief. Bavuma has already stated that winning in India ranks just behind their WTC triumph — a challenge his squad is eager to confront.

With both sides battling for WTC points and Kolkata offering conditions that could shift quickly, the first session promises to set the tone for a high-stakes, finely balanced Test series.