IND vs SA 1st Test in Danger? Here’s Why It Might Be Called Off

Team India is set to welcome World Test Champions South Africa for a two-match Test series. The series will be a crucial one for the Indian team's campaign in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, as the hosts aim to strengthen their position on the points table after a mixed run earlier this year.

The first match of the bilateral tour is scheduled to take place on November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the oldest cricket stadium in India. It will be followed by the second Test from November 22 to 26 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. The teams are already in Kolkata and have started their preparation for the upcoming Test match. The series will be followed by three ODIs and five T20Is to round off South Africa’s full tour of India.

Is IND vs SA Kolkata Test Match Cancelled After Delhi Blast?

The recent home condition in the country has raised security concerns after the Red Fort car blast in Delhi on Monday evening, which killed at least ten people and injured more than twenty. Following the incident police department has acted fast and put critical zones on high alert, and Kolkata is one among those.

With the security concerns rising in the middle of the cricket buzz, it is speculated that the IND vs SA 1st Test match might be called off if tensions remain the same. However, no official statement has been released by the board yet to confirm the speculations. The BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) have assured that the Eden Gardens security has been strengthened and this Test match will be played under strict security arrangements.

We are on high alert. Keeping in mind the blast in Delhi, special and additional security arrangements are being made,” a Kolkata Police official said, adding that the Special Task Force (STF) would also be deployed alongside the police. Security arrangements have significantly increased in Kolkata, especially at the match venue Eden Gardens, Kolkata, following the car Blast.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma confirmed that a competitive plan has been rolled out to ensure safety, and he personally will be monitoring all movements related to the teams, giving hope that the IND vs SA 1st Test match will not be cancelled.

India’s Test Form and WTC 2025-27 Outlook

India enter this series under Shubman Gill’s leadership and would be aiming to bounce back from an inconsistent start to the new WTC Cycle and improve their ranking on the points table. The return of Rishabh Pant adds much-needed stability in the middle order, while Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar provide all-round balance. The bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, two of the best Test bowlers in the world, along with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.

Historically, India have won only 31% of its Test matches at Eden Gardens, making it a venue that could offer a challenge and test their resilience. As of now, the India vs South Africa first Test is set to go ahead as planned with a three-tier security setup, with both teams already in Kolkata. The BCCI, CAB, and Kolkata Police will continue working together to ensure a safe and secure match amid the ongoing high alert following the Red Fort blast.