NEW DELHI: India’s long run of losing tosses stretched further in Kolkata as South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first in the opening Test at Eden Gardens. It has been a full year of unfavorable results for India at the toss but the team took it in their stride once again.

Gill handles the moment with calm and confidence

When Ravi Shastri mentioned the repeated streak during the toss, Shubman Gill responded with a line that instantly caught attention.

“Hopefully the only toss I am going to win is at the WTC Final,” he said with a smile. It was a remark that showed clarity, belief and a mindset focused on the biggest stage. It carried the tone of a captain who thinks like a champion and brings champion energy to every moment.

Gill on conditions and team

Gill said the Eden Gardens surface looked good early on with something in it for fast bowlers and expected more turn as the game progressed. He also spoke about the positive atmosphere inside the dressing room and how hungry this group is to make a strong start to the series.

India made two changes for the Test with Rishabh Pant coming in for Reddy and Axar Patel returning to the playing eleven.

Playing XIs

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

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