India will host South Africa in a two-match Test series beginning November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The series holds significant importance for both teams in the World Test Championship race. India, currently ranked third, must win to strengthen their chances of reaching the 2027 WTC Final. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate praised South Africa for their recent achievements, particularly their victory over Australia in the WTC Final 2025, where they claimed their first ICC title. He acknowledged the quality of South Africa's spin attack, featuring Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj, making the home contest even more challenging. The second Test will be played in Guwahati from November 22, marking the Barsapara Stadium's debut as a Test venue. South Africa, ranked fifth with a 50.00 points percentage, poses a serious threat to India's WTC ambitions.
India cannot underestimate WTC champions South Africa
Ryan ten Doeschate emphasized that South Africa deserves credit for their impressive performance over the past nine to ten months. The Proteas proved their quality by defeating top-ranked Australia in the WTC Final 2025, securing their maiden ICC trophy under Temba Bavuma's leadership. India's assistant coach highlighted that South Africa's strong spin attack, including Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj, makes the upcoming home series even more challenging. He stressed that no series can be taken lightly in the WTC cycle, as every match directly impacts India's path to the 2027 final. With a World Cup approaching in a couple of months and the need to manage three formats, this Test series carries immense significance for the hosts.
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