India vs South Africa 2025: Players, Timeline, Records, Highlights & H2H

India and South Africa have shared one of cricket’s most competitive rivalries since 1991. Both teams bring intensity to every encounter, whether it’s a bilateral series or an ICC tournament. South Africa has historically had a slight edge in head-to-head records, but India’s performances in recent years have brought the rivalry almost level.

The 2025 tour in India highlighted this fierce contest. South Africa stunned fans by winning the Test series 2–0, while India bounced back in the ODIs to claim the series 2–1. The T20I series has been equally unpredictable, with each team claiming one victory in the first two matches, leaving the series wide open for the remaining games.

India vs South Africa National Cricket Team Players List 2025

India Squad:

• Captains: Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav
• Batters: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube
• All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
• Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson
• Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana

South Africa Squad:

• Captains: Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram
• Batters: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller
• All-Rounders: Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira
• Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock
• Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla

These squads combine experienced leaders, explosive batters, and versatile all-rounders. India’s reliance on young talents like Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube is balanced by seasoned players such as Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah. South Africa fields a strong bowling attack with Nortje and Ngidi, supported by Bavuma and Markram’s tactical captaincy.

India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Timeline 2025

Recent Matches Overview:

• 2nd T20I, Dec 11, 2025, New Chandigarh: South Africa won by 51 runs
• 1st T20I, Dec 9, 2025, Cuttack: India won by 101 runs
• 3rd ODI, Dec 6, 2025, Visakhapatnam: India won by 9 wickets
• 2nd ODI, Dec 3, 2025, Raipur: South Africa won by 4 wickets
• 1st ODI, Nov 30, 2025, Ranchi: India won by 17 runs
• 2nd Test, Nov 22–26, 2025, Guwahati: South Africa won by 408 runs
• 1st Test, Nov 14–18, 2025, Kolkata: South Africa won by 30 runs

India and South Africa’s encounters have been highly competitive, with momentum often swinging between teams. South Africa’s Test victories in Kolkata and Guwahati demonstrated their dominance in the red-ball format, while India’s resilient performances in ODIs and T20Is underline their ability to bounce back.

Notable Records and Highlights

Test Cricket:

• South Africa leads India 20–16 in Tests
• South Africa won the 2025 Test series in India 2–0
• India first won in South Africa in 2006 (Johannesburg)
• Home dominance by India: 3–0 sweeps in 2015 and 2019
• Top run-scorer: Sachin Tendulkar (1741 runs)
• Top wicket-taker: Anil Kumble (84 wickets)

ODI Cricket:

• South Africa leads India 52–42 in ODIs
• India won the 2025 ODI series 2–1
• Virat Kohli’s 1806 ODI runs vs South Africa, highest score 160*
• Notable performances: Sachin Tendulkar’s 2001 runs and Shaun Pollock’s 48 wickets

T20I Cricket:

• India leads South Africa 19–13 after the 2nd T20I loss in 2025
• India won the 2024 T20 World Cup Final by 7 runs
• Top performers: David Miller (524 runs) and Arshdeep Singh (20 wickets)

These stats illustrate the balance of power in this rivalry. Both teams have legends in batting and bowling, making matches unpredictable and thrilling for fans.

India vs South Africa Upcoming Matches 2025

The 2025 series has already seen dramatic contests across formats. The Test series is complete with South Africa taking the lead 2–0, and the ODI series concluded with India winning 2–1. The T20I series remains open, with each team winning one of the first two matches.

T20I Series Schedule:

• 3rd T20I, Dec 14, 2025, Dharamsala: 7:00 PM IST
• 4th T20I, Dec 17, 2025, Lucknow: 7:00 PM IST
• 5th T20I, Dec 19, 2025, Ahmedabad: 7:00 PM IST

The remaining T20Is are expected to be high-intensity clashes, with both teams eager to assert dominance. India will rely on the explosive batting of Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, while South Africa will look to Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, and their pace attack to shift momentum.

Where to Watch India vs South Africa 2025

Fans can catch the action live across multiple platforms:

• Telecast: Star Sports Network
• Live Stream: JioHotstar

With matches scheduled in major cities like Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad, fans can expect electric atmospheres both in stadiums and online. The rivalry continues to produce thrilling cricket moments, from record-breaking innings to decisive bowling spells.

Key Players in the India vs South Africa Rivalry

Over the years, certain players have consistently influenced the outcome of this rivalry:

• Batting Legends: Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers
• Bowling Masters: Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Dale Steyn, Allan Donald, Morne Morkel

These players have not only set records but also defined the competitiveness of India vs South Africa encounters. Emerging talents in 2025, like Shubman Gill and Quinton de Kock, are carrying the legacy forward, making every match unpredictable.

Series Insights and Analysis

The 2025 India vs South Africa series highlights the evolving strategies and balance of power between the two teams:

• Test Dominance: South Africa’s pace attack proved decisive in the 2–0 Test series win.
• ODI Resilience: India’s all-round performance in Ranchi and Visakhapatnam helped reclaim the series 2–1.
• T20I Excitement: Quick swings in momentum show the format’s unpredictability, with both teams capable of massive wins.

With both sides evenly matched, fans can expect intense battles, standout performances, and potentially record-breaking moments in the remaining T20I matches.

FAQs

1. Who won the 2025 Test series between India and South Africa?
South Africa won the 2025 Test series 2–0, with victories in Kolkata and Guwahati.

2. What was the result of the 2025 ODI series?
India won the ODI series 2–1, winning the 1st and 3rd ODIs, while South Africa claimed the 2nd ODI.

3. How is the T20I series going in 2025?
After two matches, the T20I series is level at 1–1. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th T20Is will decide the series winner.

4. Who are the captains for India and South Africa in 2025?
India: Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav; South Africa: Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram.

5. Who are the top run-scorers in India vs South Africa history?
Top run-scorers include Sachin Tendulkar (Tests and ODIs), Virat Kohli, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, and AB de Villiers.

6. Who are the top wicket-takers in India vs South Africa matches?
Notable bowlers include Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Dale Steyn, Allan Donald, and Morne Morkel.

7. Where can I watch India vs South Africa 2025 matches live?
Matches are telecast on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioHotstar.

8. When is the 3rd T20I scheduled in 2025?
The 3rd T20I is scheduled for December 14, 2025, in Dharamsala at 7:00 PM IST.

9. What is the head-to-head record in Tests and ODIs?
In Tests, South Africa leads 20–16; in ODIs, South Africa leads 52–42.

10. Which players are key to watch in the 2025 series?
Emerging stars Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Quinton de Kock, and Temba Bavuma are key players shaping this series.