All eyes are on Kolkata as the much-anticipated India-South Africa Test series kicks off at the iconic Eden Gardens on November 14, 2025. With both teams boasting formidable lineups and recent successes, this series not only promises high-octane cricket but also marks a new era for Indian Test leadership under the young and dynamic Shubman Gill.
India comes into this contest riding the wave of a historic milestone. Their recent 2-0 sweep of the West Indies at home propelled them past South Africa in the all-time home Test wins tally, giving them 122 victories on Indian soil. Only Australia and England, with 262 and 241 home wins respectively, have fared better in the five-day format. This achievement is even more impressive considering India’s home dominance was briefly interrupted last year when New Zealand pulled off a rare 3-0 sweep in India. Yet, India’s resilience showed as they bounced back, and now, they’re looking to extend their legacy against the reigning World Test Championship (WTC) holders.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. South Africa, fresh from their WTC triumph over Australia at Lord’s in June 2025 and a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Pakistan, are determined to defend their crown. Under the steady hand of captain Temba Bavuma, who boasts an impressive record of nine wins and one draw in ten Tests as skipper, the Proteas are keen to reverse their fortunes in India. Their recent record here hasn’t been flattering—they’ve lost their last two series 3-0, with their last win dating back to the Hansie Cronje era in 2000. Yet, as Bavuma and his men know, history is there to be rewritten.
For India, the series is as much about maintaining supremacy as it is about ushering in a new chapter. Shubman Gill, just 26, steps into the Test captaincy spotlight for the first time at home. He has already made headlines with his bat, tallying 754 runs against England and notching an unbeaten 129 against the West Indies. Gill’s leadership is under scrutiny, but his performances suggest he’s more than ready. "We created a positive environment, performed well in England and won against the West Indies," India’s pace bowler Mohammed Siraj told JioStar. "This series is crucial for the new WTC cycle, especially since South Africa is the defending champion."
Selection headaches abound for India, especially in the bowling department. The Eden Gardens pitch is notorious for aiding spinners, particularly as the match wears on. Expect the home side to field a trio of spinners: Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar, all of whom have proven their mettle in these conditions. Among the fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah is a shoo-in, while Akash Deep is tipped to get the nod, not only for his pace but for his ability to chip in with the bat down the order. Mohammed Siraj, despite his recent heroics, may be rotated out to manage workload.
The batting order is equally intriguing. Gill will anchor the top, flanked by the ever-reliable KL Rahul and the explosive Yashasvi Jaiswal. Youngsters Sai Sudarshan and Nitish Reddy are knocking on the door, eager for a chance to shine. But perhaps the biggest selection conundrum lies behind the stumps. Rishabh Pant, the livewire wicketkeeper-batsman, is back after missing the West Indies series due to a foot fracture. While Pant’s experience and flair are unquestioned, his fitness remains a concern. Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel, fresh off twin centuries against South Africa A, is in red-hot form. The final decision may come down to a last-minute fitness test, but Pant’s track record could give him the edge.
South Africa, for their part, are a team in transition. Eight members of their squad have never played a Test in India, and adapting to subcontinental conditions is always a tall order. However, Bavuma, opening batsman Aiden Markram, and pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada bring valuable experience from previous tours. Zubayr Hamza and Senuran Muthusamy have also featured in India before, while Simon Harmer’s off-spin could be a trump card on turning tracks. The visitors fine-tuned their preparations with a morale-boosting win over India A last week, a five-wicket triumph that saw several players get valuable time in the middle.
As always, the Eden Gardens crowd is expected to play its part, creating an electric atmosphere that has often inspired the home side to greatness. But don’t count out the Proteas. With the likes of Bavuma and Markram at the top and Rabada steaming in with the new ball, South Africa have the firepower to challenge India’s dominance. The visitors’ recent WTC success has instilled a sense of belief, and they’ll be eager to prove that their championship credentials travel well beyond home comforts.
Adding to the intrigue is the tactical battle between the two captains. Gill has hinted at wanting pitches that offer a fair contest between bat and ball, rather than the sharp turners that have sometimes made life tough for visiting sides. The Eden Gardens surface is expected to offer reverse swing early before slowing down and taking spin as the game progresses. Both teams will need to adapt quickly, and the side that reads the conditions best could seize the early initiative.
Looking ahead, the series doesn’t end in Kolkata. The second Test moves to Guwahati on November 22, followed by three One-Day Internationals and five Twenty20 matches, ensuring that the rivalry between these two cricketing heavyweights will continue to simmer well into the month. For now, though, all attention is on Eden Gardens, where history, pride, and crucial WTC points are on the line.
As the first ball is about to be bowled, anticipation is at fever pitch. Will Shubman Gill’s new-look India lay down a marker against the WTC champions, or will South Africa finally break their Indian jinx? One thing’s certain: cricket fans are in for a treat as two of the sport’s biggest names go head-to-head in the City of Joy.
With the series just getting underway, the outcome remains wide open. Both sides have plenty to prove and everything to play for, making this clash one of the most eagerly awaited battles in the Test cricket calendar.