Team India are set to host reigning World Test champions South Africa in a multi-format series beginning November 14. The much-anticipated tour will span from November 14 to December 19, 2025, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is across iconic venues in India.
Gill to Lead in Tests, Pant Makes Long-Awaited Comeback
Shubman Gill will continue to lead India in the longest format, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant named his deputy. Pant’s inclusion marks a major milestone- his first international appearance since the Anderson- Tendulkar Trophy in England earlier this year.
The two-match Test series begins at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 14, followed by the second game at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from November 22. The Kolkata Test will start at 9:30 a.m. IST, while play in Guwahati begins half an hour earlier to accommodate the region’s early sunrise.
India will enter the series on the back of a commanding 2–0 victory over West Indies at home. Rising star Dhruv Jurel, fresh from twin centuries for India ‘A’ against South Africa ‘A’ in Bengaluru, is expected to feature as a specialist batter, while Nitish Kumar Reddy misses out from the last playing XI.
Bavuma Returns, South Africa Eye Redemption in India
For South Africa, captain Temba Bavuma returns after recovering from a calf injury sustained during the WTC Final against Australia at Lord’s in June. His comeback is a timely boost for the Proteas, who recently drew 1–1 in Pakistan.
With a potent combination of pace and spin- Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy- the visitors boast one of their most balanced bowling attacks in years. Coach Shukri Conrad has expressed confidence that his side can finally break their long winless streak in India, which dates back to 2010.
India vs South Africa Series Schedule
Test Series
- 1st Test: November 14-18, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- 2nd Test: November 22-26, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
ODI Series
- 1st ODI: November 30, JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi
- 2nd ODI: December 3, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
- 3rd ODI: December 6, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
T20I Series
- 1st T20I: December 9, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
- 2nd T20I: December 11, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh)
- 3rd T20I: December 14, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
- 4th T20I: December 17, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- 5th T20I: December 19, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Also Read: Test Twenty: Cricket’s New Era Begins With Hybrid Format
India vs South Africa: Squads
India Test squad
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 Test Squad
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 and Kyle Verreynne.
