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South Africa tour of India (2025)

It will be a good series. South Africa will be competitive but I dont think they will win any match here.
 
South Africa aiming to match past legends with India triumph

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj says beating India away from home is next on the wishlist for the current group of Proteas.

South Africa's new breed of stars have achieved plenty in recent times but one thing remains off their resume as they try and clinch a first series triumph in India for more than 15 years.

With the golden generation of South Africa players now long gone, the next generation have showed their prowess of late and was highlighted by the inarugal success in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord's earlier this year.

The reigning champions continued their resurgence when splitting a pair of Test results against Pakistan last month to start the new World Test Championship cycle and now get set for their next big test when they travel to India for a two-match series commencing on Friday.

Tours to India haven't been greeted with much success for South Africa of late and you have to go back to Nagpur in February of 2010 to find the most recent Test victory over India away from home and that side featured a host of Proteas legends in the ilk of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn.

But the current playing group have shown a strong determination in being able to replicate the great South African sides of past and veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj is confident the tide is turning and a Test victory in India can arrive during this tour.

"It's probably one of the toughest tours, if not the toughest tour in the Proteas calendar through various generations that have come," Maharaj said.

"There's a real hunger and desire within the camp to obviously beat India in India.

"As a unit, we feel like it's one of our biggest tests. Whenever someone needs to put their hand up, it's shared amongst the group wholeheartedly.

"It will be a wonderful opportunity to grade ourselves, to see how far we've come. Slowly but surely, we started to conquer other parts of the sub-continent.

"And I feel like this is one assignment that we really, really want to take."

Overwhelmed with emotions, Keshav Maharaj opens up on a historic triumph for South Africa at Lord's.

Maharaj collected nine wickets when winning the Player of the Match award during South Africa's most recent Test appearance in Pakistan, with fellow spinner Senuran Muthusamy named Player of the Series for his 11 scalps and 106 runs across the two red-ball contest.

The pair are expected to play a major role in the Proteas' plight in India alongside another spinner Simon Harmer, although Maharaj believes the conditions his side will face this time on the sub-continent may have something in it for all different types of bowlers.

"I think it will be good wickets that deteriorate as the game goes on. I think if you watched a bit of the West Indies series, now that India played against West Indies at home, it was good wickets that went, you know, almost to day four and five," Maharaj noted.

"I do believe that the narrative is changing in terms of getting wickets. You want to give yourself the best chance when you're in home conditions, so maybe it's felt that let's play on good cricket wickets and let the game deteriorate as it goes on.

"But, in regards to us, I think there's a real preciseness about how we've gone about our business throughout this cycle so far, and in the previous cycle in the sub-continent.

"Just focusing on those things and focusing on the skills that we do really well as a unit. I think partnerships have been a big one for us, whether it be bowling or batting partnerships, it's important."

ICC
 
South Africa have a decent bowling attack, Rabada, Maharaj & other spinners will surely cause trouble on turning tracks. India needs to be wary of the reigning World Test Champions.
 
sweep_shot said:
Yup.

I think South Africa are fully capable of whitewashing India in India. Golden opportunity.

India are doing well in T20 but they are declining in Test. That was evident in their last 10 Tests. :inti
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Did'nt India win about 4 of their last 7 tests 2 each vs eng and wi with 2 losses and a draw vs eng?
 
Vikram1989 said:
May be axar in place of reddy and jurel for sai. But it may look ridiculous if reddy is taken out after projecting him for long term ambitions.
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I dont think They will go for Akshar for Nitish - although its tempting as both can contribute with ball and bat-one guy bats better than he bowls the other guy the exact opposite.
But i feel this pitch might aide reverse and for that - especially in 2nd innings, nitish would be handy and also we have covered spin with jaddu/kull/Washy. As for Jurel - i doubt it, Sai made 80 against WI- selectors will give him more chances, but surely he is on notice and needs to produce a big one.

my XI - first test
KL
Yash
Shubhman
Sai
Rishabh
Nitish
Rav Jadz
Washy
Jassi
Kulldeep
Mo Siraj
 
harshjoshi87 said:
South Africa have a decent bowling attack, Rabada, Maharaj & other spinners will surely cause trouble on turning tracks. India needs to be wary of the reigning World Test Champions.
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Also Harmer and the Muthsamy guy are decent spinners. I doubt if pitches wil be rank turners, the NZ series is still in the rear-view.
I expect flat pitches - cue 2nd test vs WI...with big scores and attitional cricket and we will still be depending on our spinners to do the main damages...
 
Indian pitches will suit seamers. SA will have even chance given that India's home bowling force is getting a revamp. Declining Jadeja, Sundar, Kuldeep (who has played only a few tests).
 
As per ryan ten Doeschate,
Reddy is likely to make way for Jurel. Pant returns to team .
 
I'm reading that it is supposed to be a seam-friendly track with spin later on in the test match. I think South Africans will very much welcome that. On these types of pitches the first innings totals can be the difference maker, because as the match progresses the pitch settles and batting becomes slightly easier.
 
Vikram1989 said:
May be axar in place of reddy and jurel for sai. But it may look ridiculous if reddy is taken out after projecting him for long term ambitions.
Click to expand...
They could have done that vs WI only but don’t think they will do it now because spin department is covered with 3 bowling options already and Axar is a backup for them. Instead of using a 3rd pacer, they picked Nitish Reddy as future planning who could give them 3rd seamer option.

But now that Jurel performed in WI and the hundreds in both innings in A game and Reddy had no significance in WI series, I think it is better for India to replace him with Jurel. Reddy can come afterwards if Sudarshan still fails. Development of top order batsman is important too and Sudarshan needs a decent run.
 
So no news from SA camp to run away from India? Wait, they wont as they wont put IPL contracts at risk.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
I'm reading that it is supposed to be a seam-friendly track with spin later on in the test match. I think South Africans will very much welcome that. On these types of pitches the first innings totals can be the difference maker, because as the match progresses the pitch settles and batting becomes slightly easier.
Click to expand...
It is not by design. That is the nature of Eden Gardens wicket. Gawhati will also favor seamers. India will have their task cut out. India lost two reverse swinging experts to age. Bumrah, Siraj are not at the level of Shami and Umesh when it comes to reverse.
 
Ten Doeschate anticipates mouth-watering tie against Proteas

The India assistant coach feels every series is vital leading to the World Test Championship final.

After their white-ball tour of Australia, India now turn their attention to the all-format series against South Africa, starting with the Test match on November 14 at Eden Gardens.

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is looking forward to the upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against South Africa with the focus also on next year’s T20 World Cup at home.

South Africa haven’t won a Test in India since 2010 but ten Doeschate is wary of the defending World Test Champions.

“They (South Africa) deserve a lot of credit for how they’ve gone about their work in the last 9-10 months,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“The position they found themselves in the WTC, they showed they are a quality team to beat Australia in the final.

"Also the mention of how potent they are as a spin attack makes it more mouth-watering, as we will be playing at home. But also the WTC is just so important, there is no series you can take lightly and let slip by.”

“Obviously in the context of the (T20) World Cup coming up and managing the three formats, this is as important as anything else. And obviously a very big step to us getting to the World Test Championship final next year. Everyone is looking forward to it. It should be a great contest.”

Kyle Verreynne hits the winning runs as South Africa clinch the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord's.

While the hosts are coming off a series win against the West Indies at home, South Africa levelled the two-match series against Pakistan, after a defeat in the first Test.

Ten Doeschate believes the potent Proteas spin attack can pose a challenge for Shubman Gill's side.

"You normally worry about the pace attack first, but I am pretty sure they will go with two seamers and three, if not four spinners. That’s the challenge when you’re playing in the subcontinent - and it’s something as a team we need to get better at," he added.

“Hopefully, we’ve learnt from the New Zealand series. We’ve put plans in place for how to play spin better.

"It’s going to be so important over these two games, particularly after how well South Africa bowled in Pakistan."

Shubman Gill is set to lead India in the Test series after featuring in the white-ball tour of Australia. One of the few players to represent India across all three formats, there has been a lot of talk about Gill’s workload. Ten Doeschate admitted it wasn’t easy but said he’s confident in the players’ ability to adapt quickly between formats.

“It's super challenging. You see less and less guys playing all three formats. Mentally when you take a challenge like that you need a roadmap on how to go about things. Shubi (Shubman Gill) as an example has been very good,” he said.

“The boys are putting in so much work to be physically stronger and aerobically more fit to spend longer time on the field.

"I feel all of them are in really good shape given the way we are in the calendar so far this year.”

India have won four of their seven Tests this year with all-rounders playing a vital role. With spin expected to be a major factor in the upcoming series, ten Doeschate highlighted the importance of balancing all-rounders and specialist spinners while maintaining depth in the squad.

“We’re quite lucky in the sense we get to the point where some of these all-rounders could play as either a batter or a bowler.

"You don’t want to sacrifice someone who is suited to one of the facets of the game just to bring an all-rounder in for that sake.”

“We can tweak our combinations to play all-rounders who are the most suited for that game.”

ICC
 
CrIc_Mystique said:
Also Harmer and the Muthsamy guy are decent spinners. I doubt if pitches wil be rank turners, the NZ series is still in the rear-view.
I expect flat pitches - cue 2nd test vs WI...with big scores and attitional cricket and we will still be depending on our spinners to do the main damages...
Click to expand...
No more more rank turners now, we lost a series at home after 12 years because of such tracks. Better to play on pitches which aid slow turn.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
I'm reading that it is supposed to be a seam-friendly track with spin later on in the test match. I think South Africans will very much welcome that. On these types of pitches the first innings totals can be the difference maker, because as the match progresses the pitch settles and batting becomes slightly easier.
Click to expand...
That's the ideal track from a fans perspective.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
That's the ideal track from a fans perspective.
Click to expand...
My opinion on the best pitches in whatever matches i have seen in India/Asian conditions :

Dharmshala test 2017 - India vs Aus. I remember maybe first session on the 3 rd day the ball was bouncing and Matthew Wade was collecting them aroiund his neck and ears. This was the test match Pat Cummins came back after long layoff due to injur and i remember thinking then and there 2 things - Jee whiz - this guy is the real thiing & secondly how lucky is he to get such a pitch in india - which is almost similar to Brisbane...

Even on the last day i remember Jinks hooking it over his shoulder when india was chasing...

All 3 tests for India vs Sl, played in SL in 2015.

They had pace, bounce and most importantly even bounce and carry for first 1.5 days, next 2.25 days it was good for batting but bowlers of all trades always had a chance, and last 1.75 days it took spin.

i watched little of Saf vs pak played in Pak in 2022 or 2023 - not sure, but even those pitches were sporting -but PP Pak fans here can correct me

In short these pitches are the template i wish India adopted in our Domestic/FC structure. These pitches make for attacking cricket, the captain does not know what to choose if he/she wins the toss, we will breed good pace bowlers and most importantly and most under rated , we will breed good slips men, Gully catchers and good close in fielders.

In the past looking at footage of 19777 - 1980 - Chepauk at Chennai (or madras as it was called) had these qualities - and hence why Kapil Dev thrived, check his records there and he actually called Chepauk the best wicket for pace bowling in India.

the other example i can think off is Aus vs Nz, Qtr Finals in Chennai in 1996 WC - that pitch had fantastic carry and even bounce. I may have missed several but these come readily to mind.

i do recall BCCI made a pitches commitee or some similar association some years back and Kapil was the head/manager of this, but this vanished within a few months.

if we win on such sporting wickets, IMHO those victories will be sweeter, if we do not win - it will still make for compelling viewing.
 
CrIc_Mystique said:
My opinion on the best pitches in whatever matches i have seen in India/Asian conditions :

Dharmshala test 2017 - India vs Aus. I remember maybe first session on the 3 rd day the ball was bouncing and Matthew Wade was collecting them aroiund his neck and ears. This was the test match Pat Cummins came back after long layoff due to injur and i remember thinking then and there 2 things - Jee whiz - this guy is the real thiing & secondly how lucky is he to get such a pitch in india - which is almost similar to Brisbane...

Even on the last day i remember Jinks hooking it over his shoulder when india was chasing...

All 3 tests for India vs Sl, played in SL in 2015.

They had pace, bounce and most importantly even bounce and carry for first 1.5 days, next 2.25 days it was good for batting but bowlers of all trades always had a chance, and last 1.75 days it took spin.

i watched little of Saf vs pak played in Pak in 2022 or 2023 - not sure, but even those pitches were sporting -but PP Pak fans here can correct me

In short these pitches are the template i wish India adopted in our Domestic/FC structure. These pitches make for attacking cricket, the captain does not know what to choose if he/she wins the toss, we will breed good pace bowlers and most importantly and most under rated , we will breed good slips men, Gully catchers and good close in fielders.

In the past looking at footage of 19777 - 1980 - Chepauk at Chennai (or madras as it was called) had these qualities - and hence why Kapil Dev thrived, check his records there and he actually called Chepauk the best wicket for pace bowling in India.

the other example i can think off is Aus vs Nz, Qtr Finals in Chennai in 1996 WC - that pitch had fantastic carry and even bounce. I may have missed several but these come readily to mind.

i do recall BCCI made a pitches commitee or some similar association some years back and Kapil was the head/manager of this, but this vanished within a few months.

if we win on such sporting wickets, IMHO those victories will be sweeter, if we do not win - it will still make for compelling viewing.
Click to expand...
***I mean i remember EVEN on the 3rd day - Dharmshala the ball bouncing so much - true even bounce....
and the Pak vs Saf series was in 2021 - and i mean the 2nd test - the wicket was awesome and hence the test was a good contest of skills***
 
2015 Mohali vs SA
2015 Nagpur vs SA
2017 Pune vs Aus
2021 Ahmedabad vs Eng
2023 Indore vs Aus
2024 Pune vs NZ

These matches produced the worst pitches. 3 of them India lost and 3 India won.

Hopefully, better pitches are served this time.
 
CrIc_Mystique said:
***I mean i remember EVEN on the 3rd day - Dharmshala the ball bouncing so much - true even bounce....
and the Pak vs Saf series was in 2021 - and i mean the 2nd test - the wicket was awesome and hence the test was a good contest of skills***
Click to expand...
eng tour of India in 16 and 24 was played on high quality pitches. Every batsmen/bowler who worked hard thrived on them
 
CrIc_Mystique said:
My opinion on the best pitches in whatever matches i have seen in India/Asian conditions :

Dharmshala test 2017 - India vs Aus. I remember maybe first session on the 3 rd day the ball was bouncing and Matthew Wade was collecting them aroiund his neck and ears. This was the test match Pat Cummins came back after long layoff due to injur and i remember thinking then and there 2 things - Jee whiz - this guy is the real thiing & secondly how lucky is he to get such a pitch in india - which is almost similar to Brisbane...

Even on the last day i remember Jinks hooking it over his shoulder when india was chasing...

All 3 tests for India vs Sl, played in SL in 2015.

They had pace, bounce and most importantly even bounce and carry for first 1.5 days, next 2.25 days it was good for batting but bowlers of all trades always had a chance, and last 1.75 days it took spin.

i watched little of Saf vs pak played in Pak in 2022 or 2023 - not sure, but even those pitches were sporting -but PP Pak fans here can correct me

In short these pitches are the template i wish India adopted in our Domestic/FC structure. These pitches make for attacking cricket, the captain does not know what to choose if he/she wins the toss, we will breed good pace bowlers and most importantly and most under rated , we will breed good slips men, Gully catchers and good close in fielders.

In the past looking at footage of 19777 - 1980 - Chepauk at Chennai (or madras as it was called) had these qualities - and hence why Kapil Dev thrived, check his records there and he actually called Chepauk the best wicket for pace bowling in India.

the other example i can think off is Aus vs Nz, Qtr Finals in Chennai in 1996 WC - that pitch had fantastic carry and even bounce. I may have missed several but these come readily to mind.

i do recall BCCI made a pitches commitee or some similar association some years back and Kapil was the head/manager of this, but this vanished within a few months.

if we win on such sporting wickets, IMHO those victories will be sweeter, if we do not win - it will still make for compelling viewing.
Click to expand...
Great post. Especially the final paragraph.
 
CrIc_Mystique said:
***I mean i remember EVEN on the 3rd day - Dharmshala the ball bouncing so much - true even bounce....
and the Pak vs Saf series was in 2021 - and i mean the 2nd test - the wicket was awesome and hence the test was a good contest of skills***
Click to expand...
Dharamshala 2017 vs Australia was surprisingly a seaming track which assisted fast bowlers at the start & then aided spinners. Kuldeep & Ashwin-Jadeja picked up wickets. India took a big risk during that match by picking 5 bowlers with Kohli out injured, Rahane led the side & we won the test match as well as the series 2-1.
 
Ab Fan said:
2015 Mohali vs SA
2015 Nagpur vs SA
2017 Pune vs Aus
2021 Ahmedabad vs Eng
2023 Indore vs Aus
2024 Pune vs NZ

These matches produced the worst pitches. 3 of them India lost and 3 India won.

Hopefully, better pitches are served this time.
Click to expand...
2017 - Pune - was absolute spin fest & thats why I feel Steve smith century in 2nd innings was an all time great innings ...
 
Definitely a bold decision to bat Washington Sundar at 3, I just wonder if India are overestimating his abilities with the bat a bit. Batting at No.3 in test matches is a very specialized role usually reserved for one of the best batsmen in your line-up. It's vastly different to batting at 7 or 8 when the team has already piled on some runs, and you are just there to add to it. Washington has a FC batting average of 34 and I'm not sure if he has batted at this position before for his Ranji Trophy side. Personally, I think Gambhir is taking his obsession with all-rounders too far.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
KL Rahul
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Don't care...none of India;s current options for this number are good enough
Shubman Gill (c)
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Washington Sundar/Nitish Kumar Reddy
Axar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammad Siraj

India looking very strong for this series. The return of Pant will be massive.
Click to expand...
Indeed, very strong. When you overrate mediocre players, they surely look very strong.
 
Mobashir said:
Indeed, very strong. When you overrate mediocre players, they surely look very strong.
Click to expand...
Pakistani fans should think very carefully before calling other teams mediocre. I don't recall India ever getting whitewashed at home by Bangaldesh
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
Pakistani fans should think very carefully before calling other teams mediocre. I don't recall India ever getting whitewashed at home by Bangaldesh
Click to expand...
Thankfully this thread is named india vs SA. You can quote me in a thread on Pak vs Bangladesh and I will answer you. For now, enjoy the moment.
 
Mobashir said:
Thankfully this thread is named india vs SA. You can quote me in a thread on Pak vs Bangladesh and I will answer you. For now, enjoy the moment.
Click to expand...
Clearly you have some kind of inferiority complex which is forcing you to jump out of the woodwork now. But India still has a very good test side that recently drew a 5-match series in England, so not sure what you're blabbering on about.
 
Pant's captaincy is going to be a big negative for India. Even in IPL his captaincy looked mediocre. I think there was one match where he gave the ball to Tom Curran 20th over when he had Rabada at his disposal just because Curran bowled some cheap overs in the middle. Epic fail strategy in the end.
 
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