India wary of South Africa’s spin threat in opening Test

THE EDEN GARDENS PITCH BECOMES THE MOST-WATCHED ELEMENT

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Captain Shubman Gill (second left), vice captain Rishabh Pant, (third righ) head coach Gautam Gambhir (third left) and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak (second right) with others during a practice session ahead of the first Test cricket match at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata on Thursday

(PTI)

India’s awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack when the reasonably well-matched sides clash in an eagerly-anticipated two-match Test series beginning here on Friday.

India would be haunted by the ghosts of last year’s home debacle against New Zealand when their home record was shattered by Kiwi spinners Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips, who shared 36 wickets across three Tests, fashioning an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash.