India bank on old recipe of spin and first-innings heft against South Africa

NEW DELHI :India will look to reprise their home template of big first-innings totals and sustained spin in the short two-test series against South Africa beginning in Kolkata on Friday.

Shubman Gill's side sit third in the World Test Championship rankings after beginning their 2025-27 cycle with a 2-2 draw in England followed by a 2-0 sweep at home against West Indies.

Reigning world champions South Africa forced a 1-1 draw in Pakistan but the squad, despite being bolstered by the return of their fit-again skipper Temba Bavuma, can expect a sterner test in the eastern Indian cities of Kolkata and Guwahati.

India will back their top order to counter the new-ball threat posed by South Africa's Kagiso Rabada-led pace battery.

In India's top order, Yashasvi Jaiswal's belligerence complements the calmness of his opening partner KL Rahul or captain Gill.

Their middle order has been reinforced by the return of their first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, also creating a selection dilemma in the process.

In Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel impressed both with the bat and gloves against West Indies as well as in domestic cricket to retain his place.

"I don't think you can leave him out for this test," India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate told reporters on Wednesday hinting they might sacrifice all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to accommodate Pant.

"Given the way Dhruv's gone in the last six months, scoring two hundreds in Bangalore last week, he's certain to play this week."

As for dealing with the likes of Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi, India would hope a combination of spin, low bounce and reverse swing would once again do the trick.

Jasprit Bumrah's mastery both with the new and old ball will test South Africa, who have eight players in