Is Temba Bavuma Back as South Africa's Test Captain for the India Tour?
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Synopsis
Temba Bavuma returns as South Africa's Test captain for the upcoming series against India, marking his comeback after an injury. With a strong squad and vital preparation matches, the Proteas are gearing up for a challenging tour. Will they maintain their competitive edge in India's tough conditions?
Key Takeaways
- Temba Bavuma returns as captain after injury.
- South Africa aims for a strong performance in India.
- Stability in the batting lineup with retained players.
- Three frontline spinners included for spin-friendly conditions.
- First Test on November 14 at Eden Gardens.
Johannesburg, Oct 27 (NationPress) Temba Bavuma is set to reclaim his role as South Africa's Test captain for the upcoming two-match series against India next month, following his recovery from a left calf injury he sustained during the England tour in September.
Although Bavuma will not participate in South Africa’s white-ball segment of the Pakistan tour, he is scheduled to play in the second red-ball match for South Africa A against India A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) Ground in Bengaluru as part of his preparations before rejoining the Proteas Test squad.
Bavuma, who led the Proteas to a World Test Championship victory at Lord’s in June, had missed the beginning of South Africa’s campaign in the 2025-27 cycle against Pakistan, which concluded in a 1-1 draw. His inclusion signifies the only alteration in South Africa’s batting lineup from the Pakistan series, with David Bedingham being excluded.
Bedingham, who has participated in 15 Tests, scoring one century and four fifties, was omitted after a series of lackluster performances, aside from his 82 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. The selectors have retained Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, and Zubayr Hamza, opting for stability in the middle order.
The squad features three primary spinners: Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, and Senuran Muthusamy, while Kagiso Rabada alongside all-rounders Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder provide a robust pace attack.
“We’ve retained the core of the squad that faced Pakistan in the two-match series. Those players demonstrated immense character and resilience to come back and draw that series,” said head coach Shukri Conrad.
“We expect a similar challenge in India, and many players who excelled in those conditions will again be crucial for us. The squad effort against Pakistan will be mirrored in India, where every player’s contribution is vital for our competitiveness in what is always a challenging tour.”
The first Test is set to commence on November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by the second match at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, which will host its inaugural Test match on November 22.
South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne
Point of View
I believe the return of Temba Bavuma as South Africa's Test captain is a pivotal moment for the team. His leadership and experience are invaluable as they face the daunting challenge of touring India. The selectors have prioritized stability, and with a blend of youth and experience, the Proteas have the potential to perform admirably. We stand by our team, looking forward to their resilience and determination on this significant tour.
NationPress
28/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury did Temba Bavuma sustain?
Temba Bavuma suffered a left calf strain during the England tour in September.
When does the Test series against India start?
The first Test match begins on November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Who are the key players in the South Africa squad?
Key players include Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, and Simon Harmer, among others.
What was the outcome of the recent series against Pakistan?
The series against Pakistan ended in a 1-1 draw.
Where will the second Test be held?
The second Test will take place at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
