South Africa’s national cricket team, also known as the Proteas and based out of Johannesburg, is widely considered one of the most successful international teams. Ranked fourth for Test matches and third in One-Day Internationals.
Ramandeep Singh marks his T20 debut for India while Vijakumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal debut for South Africa Proteas.
Here we will discuss the high lights of India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline.
1. Tests
India will aim to win its maiden Test series against South Africa when they meet for two matches starting December 26 at SuperSport Park, Pretoria. Both sides have much at stake on this tour as both look to increase their rankings ahead of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 cycle starting March.
Both teams are strong across all departments and should put up an exciting matchup. India will rely on its bowlers and aggressive batsmen for success while South Africa seeks revenge after its 2024 T20 final loss against India where victory seemed so close at hand.
Rohit Sharma will look to continue his winning run against South Africa when he takes to the Test field this January. Last time out in ODIs he led India to an impressive 5-0 win and will hope for similar success when they step onto the pitch for their inaugural Test matchup in India.
Rohit will be expected to lead his squad through another impressive performance; however, captain Gautam Gambhir’s injury will be a big blow for them, along with pace bowler Mayank Yadav and wicketkeeper Shivam Dube who both played key roles during their time at Lord’s.
South Africa will benefit greatly from the return of all-rounder David Miller, who had been rested from ODIs and T20Is but will play an essential role in the four-match Test series. Other contributors will include Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder Sinalo Jafta Marizanne Kapp as uncapped players; alongside experienced campaigners Sune Luus Ayabonga Khaka Masabata Klaas Eliza-Mari Marz Nonkululeko Mlaba.
2. ODIs
India-South Africa cricket rivalry is among the most intense and thrilling in world cricket, from T20 games’ adrenaline rushes to strategic Test matches’ strategic battles, this rivalry epitomises cricket itself – from legendary T20 innings to breathtaking Test matches! From their legendary players forged of steel against each other and records broken; India-South Africa rivalry captures all aspects of cricket while keeping audiences at its core gripped and wanting more!
India and South Africa will begin their three-match ODI series beginning Sunday at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. After that, it will move onto St George’s Park in Gqeberha before concluding at Bolan Paarl – these two sides having met numerous times before in ODI format with South Africa holding slight edge in terms of overall wins over India.
India and South Africa will both look to improve their positions ahead of hosting the 2023 Cricket World Cup together, as India won their previous matchup by an overwhelming 243-run margin at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Though India won, South Africa still face many questions heading into this series, including their key players’ form – Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee haven’t started the season as expected.
De Villiers remains uncertain for the opening ODI due to injury concerns; however, his presence could help his side make an impressive start and ensure they take top spot in the standings.
South Africa will aim to avenge their loss at Eden Gardens in the opening ODI of this series and will hope that their revamped side can reverse course. Missing some key members, they should still possess enough firepower to challenge India – Rinku Singh may make his ODI debut, while Sanju Samson should retain his middle order spot. In India’s case, B Sai Sudharsan and Tilak Varma could add depth to their bowling options with possible debuts in an ODI matchup against South Africa.
3. T20Is
Sanju Samson was impressive in India’s opening T20I against South Africa, yet India’s top order needs work. Abhishek Sharma’s inability to score big will cause concern within management circles. Furthermore, middle and lower order batsmen must do their bit in relieving Sanju Samson of any burdensome responsibility.
On November 10, India and South Africa meet again for the second T20I at Gqeberha. Both teams have shown themselves to be formidable T20 players this year, so expect an exciting encounter between these sides at Gqeberha.
Both teams will be looking to enhance their form ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which begins just over one year from now. This series will serve as an invaluable test between them both, and it will be interesting to see who emerges victorious at the end.
On Friday, November 8, Kingsmead in Durban will host the opening T20 International of this four-match series between India and South Africa, in a repeat of the thrilling T20 World Cup final that India won back in 2024.
South Africa will look to redeem themselves and mount an impressive performance following their loss and will need to improve both bowling and batting in order to compete at this level. Without key players like Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje on their squad they may struggle.
India’s bowling unit impressed in the first T20I against South Africa. Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi both took three wickets each. Therefore, it seems unlikely that India will make any significant adjustments for the second T20I.
Ramandeep Singh will make his T20I debut for India in this game and hopes to build upon his impressive showing against Bangladesh in their previous T20I series. Axar Patel, who has recently shown some fantastic form with the bat, could provide support.
4. T20 World Cup
Both teams were exhausted after fighting hard for victory in the T20 World Cup final at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. South Africa spent much of the night at the airport waiting for a charter flight, while India flew in from Guyana following their semifinal win over England.
Although both teams may be nervous and exhausted, both look forward to an unbeaten showdown between India and Australia on home ground. India will aim to retain their title as number-one team as well as get revenge from losing in the 2023 T20 World Cup final against Australia.
Proteas limited overs cricket team has one of the most dynamic lineups on offer with Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Reeza Hendricks all contributing. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have led by example as their bowlers have also excelled.
Starting this Friday in Durban, India and South Africa will meet in a four-match T20 International series. It is a rematch of last year’s thrilling T20 World Cup final where India had no right to beat South Africa but Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya left them crestfallen by pulling off an upset.
Though this series may appear minor, it will serve as invaluable preparation for both teams ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup being hosted in India. India and South Africa can use it to test out their final squads before participating in this prestigious tournament.
Indian batsmen will look to continue their impressive form in T20 cricket against South Africa and build upon their recent stellar showing against New Zealand. Youngster Sanju Samson has been their stand-out performer so far; he will look to do it again. However, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli must perform at their best if India are going to have any chance at victory; bowlers too must step up if they want to prevent South Africans from scoring big totals; it should make for an entertaining contest with plenty of surprises and fireworks on offer from both teams.
