Team India are all set to host WTC champions South Africa in a two-match Test series. While the series opener will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14 to 18, Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium will stage the second Test from November 22 to 26.

With three days remaining for the series opener, Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee has expressed confidence that the pitch will “offer something for everyone”.

Speaking to India Today, the senior curator hinted that the Indian team management had asked for a bit of turn from the surface.

After suffering a humiliating 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand on spinning wickets last year, India began their 2025-26 home season with a 2-0 win over the West Indies last month on pitches that were not rank-turners.

“The pitch will be good. It will be a good sporting wicket. As the days progress, there will be turn. There will be bounce. But everybody – batter, bowler – there is something for everybody on this pitch,” Mukherjee said.

“The chat with the team like every home team. See, if you go to Australia, there will be bounce. Likewise, Indian teams ask for a bit of turn. Not much, but they ask for a bit of turn,” he added.

When asked if the rank turners could backfire for India again, the curator replied: “How can I say that? Those who play will be able to tell this. Our job is to prepare the pitch and try to give a good pitch. I hope people who watch the match enjoy the contest between bat and ball.”

India have four spinners – Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar – in their ranks for the South Africa series.

On the other hand, the Proteas have arrived in India after a memorable tour of Pakistan where their spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer played a key role in securing a 1-1 draw.

India’s Test squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep

South Africa’s Test squad: Temba Bavuma (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne