Gill and Bavuma, captains adjusting to Test challenge

Among the things intriguing and interesting about the India-South Africa Test series is the story of two captains. One more comfortable in his own skin now that South Africa are world champions and the other, a leading all-format batter supervising transition even as he set making the World Test Championship final as a benchmark.

- Dhiman Sarkar

Two Test series old as captain - his debut in that role in England was the stuff of dreams - Shubman Gill, 26, is still getting used to the time difference with Australia and the changes needed from slam-bang to the format that tests you like no other.

"There are different challenges when you play in India as compared to playing in Australia. But you know these challenges will be thrown at you. It is how you tackle them. The challenge is more mental than physical," said Gill ahead of his first Test at Eden which is holding one after six years.

If there is a silver lining to this, it is that having begun his IPL career here, Gill said Eden feels like home.

Two years after struggling with fitness and form ahead of the ODI World Cup semifinal, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma returns to Eden Gardens not having to prove himself to "the players or the people back home that I'm deserving of this title." Personally, there has been a lot more appreciation for my presence in the team, said Bavuma, South Africa's first full-time black captain.