3 things to look forward to in the 1st India vs South Africa Test ft. Rishabh Pant's Test return

India are all set to battle it out against South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series. The encounter will commence at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday, November 14.

The hosts are on the back of a 2-0 win over the West Indies and are searching for more World Test Championship points. The Proteas, who currently hold the mace, will be keen on building on their promising red-ball form over the last two years. An exciting clash between two of the best sides in the world beckons.

India's squad for the Test series vs South Africa: 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 squad for the Test series vs India: 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.

On that note, here are three things to look forward to in the first Test between India and South Africa.

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#3 Will South Africa play all their maverick young batters?

Pakistan v South Africa - 1st Test: Day 4 - Source: Getty

South Africa have picked a bold squad for the Indian tour, with the likes of David Bedingham missing out. Head coach Shukri Conrad claimed that they have picked players keeping the conditions in mind, and the team will want solid players of spin in the middle order.

South Africa have Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi and Dewald Brevis in their ranks. All three have a variety of shots around the wicket, particularly against spin. Will the visitors play all three of them and try to counter fire with fire? Brevis and Stubbs can certainly clear the boundary at will, and they might look to put Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar under pressure.

Seeing South Africa's new-look batting lineup on a challenging tour of the subcontinent will certainly be a fun watch.

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#2 Rishabh Pant will be in the senior whites again

England v India - 4th Rothesay Test Match: Day Five - Source: Getty

The last time Rishabh Pant played a Test for India, he walked off with his foot in a brace following Chris Woakes' yorker. He has made a quick recovery, though, and seemed comfortable in the red-ball series against the A team despite a few painful blows in the second outing.

Pant is all set to return to the Test fray. He wasn't at his absolute best in England, but his home record speaks for itself. One of the most assured players of spin in the lineup, the left-hander will be key against Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy.

And as always with Pant, big hits and entertainment aren't far away.

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#1 Dhruv Jurel is all set to play as a specialist batter

India A Vs Australia A 1st Unofficial Test Match Played At The Ekana Cricket Stadium Lucknow - Source: Getty

Interestingly, Pant will have a keeper to rely on if needed. India have all but confirmed that Dhruv Jurel's recent form has made him impossible to drop, and the right-hander is all set to feature as a specialist batter.

Jurel's composure and airtight technique have shone through in recent times. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been sent away to play the one-dayers with the A team, with assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate talking up the keeper-batter's prowess.

Jurel has gone from strength to strength in recent times, and it'll be interesting to see how he fares against one of the best teams in the world.

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Edited by Sai Krishna