India vs South Africa 2025 Test series: Temba Bavuma is back to lead Proteas, WTC winners select spin-heavy squad

World Test champions South Africa announced their squad for the two-Test series against Team India beginning at the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on November 14. Temba Bavuma is back to lead the Test squad, in place Aiden Markram who was captaining the side in Pakistan, after recovering from a calf injury.

The South African skipper had missed the two-match Test series againdt Pakistan earlier this month which the Proteas drew 1-1 after their win over Shan Masood’s side in Rawalpindi last week. Bavuma will replace batter David Bedingham in the Test squad which faced Pakistan.

 

Bavuma, who led his team to the title in the previous World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, is also scheduled to play the preceding series against India ‘A’ beginning in Bengaluru on November 2. The ‘A’ series four-day matches will also witness the return of Rishabh Pant from injury. Pant had fractured his foot in the 4th Test against England in Manchester earlier this year.

South Africans have continued to put faith in a spin-heavy squad led by Keshav Maharaj along with Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthuswamy – which managed to stun the Pakistan squad in spin-friendly conditions. Kagiso Rabada and all-rounders Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder provide the pace bowling options.

The first Test will get underway on November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, before the teams head to Guwahati, where the ACA Stadium in Barsapara will host its maiden Test match from November 22.

“We’ve kept the bulk of the squad that competed in the two-match series against Pakistan. Those players showed real character and fought hard to come from behind and draw that series,” head coach Shukri Conrad said about the squad.

“We are anticipating a similar challenge in India, and many of the players who stood up in those conditions will once again be key for us. Pakistan was a squad effort and India will demand the same. Every player has a role to play in ensuring we remain competitive in what is always a tough place to tour,” he added.

South Africa Squad for India Tests: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.

News