Proteas return to India after three-year gap for Tests, ODIs and T20Is blockbusters

After a gap of more than three years, South Africa are back in India — and this time they arrive as the reigning World Test Championship (WTC) champions, confident and ambitious, for a comprehensive tour spanning Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

The last time the Proteas toured India for Tests was in October 2019, when they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a dominant Indian side. Their most recent Test visit, in November 2025, ended far more happily: South Africa claimed a 0-2 series win on Indian soil, leaving India fifth in the WTC 2025-27 standings and prompting a rebuild under skipper Shubman Gill.

Per pre-series reporting, the Test leg of the series began at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on November 14, followed by the second Test in Guwahati from November 22. Post the WTC series, the teams were scheduled to lock horns in three ODIs and five T20Is, making this a long-awaited cricketing festival for fans.

India's blend of youth and experience

The Indian Test squad, led by Shubman Gill, balances youth and experience. It includes exciting talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy, backed by seasoned performers such as Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The squad aims to maintain India's dominance at home while nurturing the next generation of stars.

WTC champions arrive with confidence

South Africa's squad, under WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma, brings a mix of youth and seasoned campaigners. Key players include Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Kyle Verreynne, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. The team also features promising names like Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder.

With the Proteas aiming to build on their WTC success and India looking to reassert home dominance after the 0-2 defeat, the series promises competitive cricket across all formats — thrilling contests, memorable performances and a showcase of world-class talent as the two sides clash in India after a long hiatus.