KL Rahul And marco janson They represent two of the most compelling talents in modern Test cricket, with the Indian batsman known for his technical beauty and the South African fast bowler feared for his intimidating height and left-arm angle. Their rivalry is an interesting subplot India and South Africa The clash, pitting a versatile top-order batsman against a consistent fast bowling all-rounder.
The next chapter of this competition is set to unfold in the much-awaited two-match Test series in India, starting with the First Test in Kolkata from November 14 to November 18, 2025, followed by the Second Test in Guwahati from November 22 to November 26, 2025. This series is an important part of it. ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 What promises to be a high-octane competition on cycles and Indian pitches.
Test cricket performance in 2025 before IND vs SA test series
1. KL Rahul in Test cricket (year 2025)
The year 2025 has been a significant time of resurgence and consistency for Rahul in the longest format of the game, cementing his place at the top of the Indian batting line-up, especially after some major changes in the team structure. He has played 8 matches in Test cricket so far, scoring a total of 745 runs at an impressive average of 53.21, a figure that represents his most prolific calendar year in Tests.
Rahul’s extraordinary performance included two centuries and three half-centuries, reflecting his ability to convert starts into big scores and perform well under pressure. There is a renewed focus on defensive technique and patience in his batting, in contrast to his more aggressive style in white-ball cricket, proving his versatility and mental toughness. The highlight was a brilliant 137 runs in the first Test, which played a vital role in securing a 2-2 draw in a challenging overseas series. This purple patch has seen him grow into a senior politician, providing stability and leadership to the Indian top order.
2. Marco Johnson in Test cricket (year 2025)
Marco Jansen continues to establish himself as a genuine bowling all-rounder in the 2025 Test calendar, maintaining his reputation as a key cog in the Proteas attack. His most significant achievement was being a key member of the victorious team that claimed the ICC World Test Championship final in June 2025. In 2025, he took 7 wickets in three test matches.
A strong performance in the WTC final, where he took 4 wickets in two innings, including the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne, highlighted his ability to perform on the biggest stage. Jensen’s 6’8″ frame and awkward angles make him a constant threat, taking sharp bounces and troubling opposing batsmen even on flat wickets. His role as a reliable contributor with the bat has also been important, often scoring crucial runs to propel the South African team forward. He remains South Africa’s primary left-arm fast bowling option, providing variety and sustained pressure.
Head-to-head battle before IND vs SA series: KL Rahul vs Johnson in Test cricket
The encounter between KL Rahul and Marco Johnson in Test cricket has been an interesting and tightly contested one, with the bowler mainly managing to gain a slight psychological edge by stopping the flow of runs over the batsman. In all their meetings in Test cricket, Jensen has dismissed Rahul 3 times (Twice in the Johannesburg Test in 2022 and again during the second innings of the Cape Town Test in the same series),
This is a significant statistic given the limited number of series played against each other, primarily in South Africa. The overall numbers show that Rahul has scored 53 runs off 163 balls against the tall left-arm pacer, resulting in an average of 17.7 against him and a relatively low strike rate of 32.5. This slow scoring rate and low averages indicate that Jensen’s angles, pace and ability to hit challenging lengths have made it increasingly difficult for Rahul to assert his natural attacking game, often causing him trouble.
KL Rahul vs Marco Jansson Head-to-Head (Test Cricket)
| statistical | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total |
| it goes | 23 | 4 | 25 | 1 | 53 |
| balls | 65 | 40 | 41 | 17 | 163 |
| Boycott | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Dots | 55 | 39 | 34 | 16 | 144 |
| 4s | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| 6s | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| sr | 35.4 | 10.0 | 61.0 | 5.9 | 32.5 |
| average | , | 1.3 | , | , | 17.7 |
Also read: IND vs SA: 5 South African players who can trouble India in the upcoming test series