India Get ready for an exciting test series against South Africa Starting on November 14, 2025, with high expectations from fans and experts alike. The two-match Test series is an important part of this 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship And will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. South Africa are coming in as the reigning World Test champions, and are promising a tough competition against an Indian team keen to assert their dominance on home soil.
Suresh Raina highlights India’s key players ahead of Test series
former indian cricketer Suresh Raina has identified a number of outstanding performers for India ahead of the South Africa Tests, highlighting the impact of specific players on Indian soil. Raina especially appreciated Jasprit Bumrah His ability to take advantage of the early start time of the matches (8:30 am), predicted unique reverse swing challenges for the South African batsmen due to the behavior of the red ball in those conditions. He also expressed high expectations from it -Kuldeep YadavSpin bowling complements India’s traditional strength in spin-friendly home conditions.
The most special thing about Raina was his aggressive batting style. Rishabh PantGiven that both the grounds are relatively small, Pant’s explosive and unorthodox approach is expected to score quick runs and put a lot of pressure on the opponent. Raina suggested that Pant could be the deciding factor in the series.
,For me, India’s best player is Jasprit Bumrah because when the matches start at 8:30, we will see unique reverse swing. The red ball will behave differently and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin will also be important. But the biggest expectation is from Rishabh Pant, his different batting style will score runs quickly, especially since both the grounds are small, which will benefit Pant a lot.Raina said on Star Sports show
Abhishek Nair’s thoughts on choosing the lead actors
Former assistant coach of India Abhishek Nair Also shared his opinion on key players from India to watch out for in the upcoming series. For Nair, two players epitomize India’s potential success in the Test format: Shubman Gill And Pant. Nair praised Gill’s calmness and leadership, highlighting his role as a Test captain and a technically sound batsman who can shape innings. Pant complements Gill’s style with his aggressive batting, making them a formidable pair.
,Two players are the best for me in Test cricket: Shubman Gill and Rishabh PantNair said considering his role in shaping the Indian batting line-up and his potential impact against the strong South African bowling attack.
Nair’s views echo the broader sentiment towards the India team, which is renowned for its mix of flexibility, youth and explosive potential. The team’s strategy seems to be focused on a balanced approach: solid opening partnerships followed by aggressive middle-order batting.
Also read: IND vs SA: 5 South African players who can trouble India in the upcoming test series
