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STUMP VISION NOVEMBER 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 42

South Africa Eye History

as Bavuma and a Fired-Up Proteas

Brace for India’s New Test Era

India and South Africa’s two-Test showdown promises to be one of the most

fiercely contested red-ball battles of the season.

OUR BUREAU

Kolkata
outh Africa captain Temba Bavuma is car-
rying the weight of history—and the hope
Sof changing it. The Proteas may be fresh-
ly crowned World Test Champions, but winning
a Test series in India remains a frontier they last
conquered in 1999. For Bavuma, a series win here
would trail only the WTC triumph in terms of sig-
nificance. “Nothing can trump winning the WTC,”
he said. “But second to that would be winning in
India.”
South Africa’s head coach Shukri Conrad has
called the upcoming series their “biggest chal-
lenge,” a claim echoed and refined by Bavuma—
who sees this tour not as another assignment, but
as a defining moment for a side looking to build on
its Lord’s victory.
India, meanwhile, begin a new chapter. The
retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from
Test cricket symbolised the end of an era. Now
Shubman Gill, young but already a proven leader,
takes on his first marquee home series as full-time South Africa’s Temba Bavuma lifted the ICC Test Championship Mace and celebrates with teammates after winning the 2025
captain.
Gill enters the contest brimming with confi- ICC World Test Championship Final match against Australia, at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London in June (Reuters/ANI Photo)
dence. His record-breaking 754-run haul in En-
gland earlier this year signalled his readiness to His analysis mirrors what South Africa have age,” Smith said. “They can control the game and
lead. India then eased past the West Indies 2–0 at experienced for decades—early wickets inevitably turn the ball. They give Bavuma real wicket-taking
home, but the Proteas, with their pace firepower and lead to collapse on spinning tracks. And India’s options.”
improved spin options, present a far sterner test. spin attack is as potent as ever. Add Rabada’s reverse swing and Marco Jan-
Bavuma believes the series will be “thrilling,” Bavuma had his first encounter with Kuldeep sen’s bounce, and the visitors possess a toolkit far
noting India’s blend of talent and inexperience. Yadav during a recent India A match. The duel left more balanced than previous touring sides.
“Fantastic players, but a little bit of inexperience him amused—and wary. In a light-hearted moment, Bavuma recalled
too,” he said. “It should be exciting.” “I’d rather face him in an A game than here in meeting Kane Williamson in Mumbai and seeking
Adding gravitas to the pre-series build-up, for- Kolkata,” he joked. advice on winning in India.
mer South Africa captain Graeme Smith—one of While Kuldeep may not always extract pro- “All he said was—make sure you win the toss,”
the most respected voices in world cricket—issued digious turn, his deception is built on drift, pace Bavuma laughed. “So, I’ve been practising my
a simple but crucial warning: start strong, or risk changes and wicked variations. “It takes time to coin-tossing!”
being swallowed by the subcontinent. get used to him,” Bavuma admitted. “You can see Behind the humour lies truth: winning the toss
At an SA20 event in Mumbai, Smith said, why India rate him so highly. He’s a wicket-taker.” on Indian pitches can change everything.
“Kolkata is generally a good place to bat. Get good With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel also part For India, ranked third in the WTC standings,
value for runs. But if you fall behind in India, it’s of the spin attack, South Africa’s batters will need the series is crucial for qualifying for the 2025–27
very difficult to fight your way back. The top order precision, patience and a touch of luck. final. For South Africa, this is a chance to prove
needs to step up.” For once, South Africa arrive in India with their WTC win was no one-off, and to chase a his-
Smith stressed the importance of platform-set- more than just pace firepower. Both Bavuma and toric breakthrough.
ting. “There’s nothing worse than being two or Smith highlighted Keshav Maharaj and Simon Two teams in transition. Two captains with ev-
three down early and then facing India’s spinners. Harmer as genuine match-winners. erything to prove. And a series promising tension,
Your top three will decide how deep you can go.” “Maharaj and Harmer can definitely do dam- skill and high drama.

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