Renewed rivalry: On the India, South Africa first Test, at Eden Gardens.
India will be keen to move ahead in the new cricket Test cycle.
Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, one of cricket’s hallowed venues, will again host South Africa. Back in 1991, when South Africa was readmitted to cricket following the withdrawal of apartheid and the consequent lifting of a 21-year sporting ban, it was the eastern metropolis that rolled out the red carpet to Clive Rice and his men. The first ODI was played at a packed Eden on November 10, 1991, one in which India prevailed, and 34 years later, another Protean unit led by Temba Bavuma will clash against Shubman Gill’s men in the first Test commencing on Friday (November 14, 2025). In a fresh cycle, South Africa, the defending champion in the ICC World Test Championship, is up against India, often an indomitable force in its own backyard. That the tour of England was drawn at 2-2 in the longest format and the subsequent Tests against the West Indies at home were swept aside, is a pointer to the form and ability of Gill’s unit despite the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin and the continued absence of Mohammed Shami. The first two may still be playing ODIs, but this truly is Gill’s era and five tons in his last seven Tests reveals a batter finding an extra gear when given the extra responsibility of captaincy.
This latest cricketing joust is like a full-course meal as it features two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is. India can finesse its plans and team combinations in all three formats, besides gaining further inputs on the form and relevance of Rohit and Kohli after their decent run during the recent ODIs in Australia. The T20Is too will have an added layer as India and Sri Lanka will be hosting the ICC T20 World Cup next year. That Rishabh Pant is back in the mix, after a hiatus following an injury, augurs well while the other wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel may still find his slot as a pure batter considering his exploits with the India A unit. Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.L. Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj constitute the nucleus of a squad that is dealing with transition under coach Gautam Gambhir. South Africa with its blend of doughty batters and a sharp attack headlined by Kagiso Rabada, can be a strong opposition. The visitors also have an adequate blend of spin revealing an Indian origin flavour thanks to the presence of Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy. Last year, host India was humbled by New Zealand and even if it is largely seen as an aberration, Bavuma’s men could draw inspiration from the Black Caps.