Bhubaneswar, Nov. 11 -- As India gear up for the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata on Friday, head coach Gautam Gambhir's detailed pitch inspection and chat with Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee have drawn attention - particularly amid speculation over India's batting order.

The Test squad regrouped in the city over the weekend, with regulars joining straight from the T20I series in Australia. Captain Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Nitish Kumar Reddy all took part in an optional training session on Tuesday.

Gambhir was the first to arrive at the venue, heading straight to the centre square alongside batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne...