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India Aim to Extend Home Dominance Against Proteas

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Kolkata
  • Nov 11, 2025
  • 52

World Test champions South Africa are bracing for a challenging tour of India as they gear up for a two-Test series in Kolkata and Guwahati, beginning later this month. Despite their recent dominance on the world stage, the Proteas are entering territory that has repeatedly tested their resilience — they haven’t won a single Test match in India since 2010.

The series marks the first major red-ball assignment for the African side since their World Test Championship (WTC) triumph over Australia at Lord’s in June 2025. Since that historic win, South Africa have remained unbeaten — routing Zimbabwe 2-0 and drawing 1-1 in Pakistan — but India’s spin-laden conditions promise an altogether different examination.

Spin to Win: India’s Core Strength

India’s squad underscores their traditional strength on home soil — spin. The selection of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, along with Kuldeep Yadav, highlights the hosts’ tactical reliance on slow bowling.

Jadeja boasts 338 wickets in 87 Tests, including 246 on Indian pitches.

Axar Patel has claimed 55 wickets in 14 Tests, 47 of them at home.

Washington Sundar continues to develop as an effective all-rounder with 35 wickets in 15 matches.

Kuldeep Yadav, India’s only chinaman option, has 68 wickets in 15 Tests, making him a key weapon against South Africa’s right-hand heavy lineup.


India’s mastery over spin has underpinned their world-record 18 consecutive home series wins (2012–2024) — a streak only broken by New Zealand last year.

Proteas’ Spin Challenge

For South Africa, the spin question looms large. Their squad features three specialist spinners — Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy. Of the trio, Maharaj remains the most seasoned campaigner with 212 wickets in 60 Tests, while Harmer (52 wickets in 12 matches) and Muthusamy (22 wickets in 7 Tests) are relatively inexperienced.
Indian wickets — slow, abrasive, and offering sharp turn on the final two days — could prove unforgiving for South Africa’s batting unit, which has historically struggled to adapt to subcontinental conditions.

A Battle of Wills and Adaptability

India’s batting order looks reinforced with Rishabh Pant’s return and Dhruv Jurel’s emergence. Pant, back after injury, showcased fine touch in the unofficial Tests against South Africa A, scoring 196 runs with two fifties, while Jurel topped the charts with 259 runs including two centuries.

With form, experience, and conditions all tilting in India’s favour, the Proteas will need exceptional discipline and patience to end a 15-year drought on Indian soil. Their last triumph came in Nagpur, 2010, when Graeme Smith’s men crushed India by an innings and six runs, powered by Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 253.

Series Snapshot

Matches: 2 Tests — Kolkata & Guwahati

India’s Home Record: 18 consecutive series wins (2012–2024)

Last SA win in India: Nagpur, 2010

WTC Reigning Champions: South Africa

Verdict:

A clash between South Africa’s recent global supremacy and India’s impenetrable home fortress — a duel where skill meets spin, and history beckons both sides once again.