Cricket fans all over the world are holding their breath in anticipation of a match for the ages between two powerhouses. It will be a full South Africa tour India across various formats such as Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
As the date draws nearer with each passing day, fans have taken to top platforms such as MelBet cricket to make predictions on the outcomes of each format. With the fiery pace of duels, power-packed finishes, and tricky spin battles from two of the best teams in the world, there’s a lot to look forward to.
In this article, we’ll cover the schedule of each format, the team’s rivalry, and what to expect.
An Overview of the Multi-Format Series
The cricket 2025 tour between the two countries is seriously packed and will take place between November and December. It will include:
- The 1st Test (Nov 14th – 18th) at Eden Gardens.
- The 2nd Test (Nov 22nd – 26th) at Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
- The 1st ODI (30th November) at JSCA International Stadium Complex.
- The 2nd ODI (3rd December) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.
- The 3rd ODI (6th December) at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
- The 1st T20I (9th December) at Barabati Stadium.
- The 2nd T20I (11th December) at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
- The 3rd T20I (14th December) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
- The 4th T20I (17th of December) at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
- The 5th T20I (19th of December) at Narendra Modi Stadium.
In between the high-adrenaline Cricket 2025 matches, fans can also unwind through platforms like MelBet, which combine sports action with easy access to online gaming.
The Tests carry weight in the WTC because every point earned could shape the table. The ODIS, on the other hand, prepares teams for the Champions Trophy later this year. Both teams will look to build momentum and get a better ranking over the other. Then there’s the T20Is, which provide a platform for the teams to experiment and fine-tune their strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2026.
Historical Context & Rivalry
Very few rivalries turn heads in modern-day cricket like India vs South Africa. Both teams have locked horns 164 times across formats, with South Africa edging the head-to-head with 80 wins compared to India’s 70. 10 of the matches ended in a stalemate, and the remaining four concluded with no result. Here’s the breakdown across formats:
- Tests (18-16) in favor of SA.
- ODIs (51-40) in favor of SA.
- T20Is (14-11) in favor of India.
Interestingly, India has never won a Test series on South African grounds, and while India is nearly invincible on home soil, South Africa is the only team to win a series there twice since 2004.
A Preview of the Test Series
The South Africa tour India kicks off with a couple of Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati, the latter of which is a venue SA hasn’t played in before. India will rely on their technique, patience, and spinners to fend off lightning-fast threats from the opposition.
SA, on the other hand, tends to bring a fast-bowling style that comes with punch and applies pressure on the opponents. There’s enough there to keep anyone watching glued to the action and on the edge of their seats. The cricket series India is just a spotlight tour, but it is part of the World Test Championship, so every session counts.
Preview of the ODI Series
India and SA will meet in a 3-match face-off that’s way more than a midseason friendly. The former, which is the top-ranked team in the ICC ODI rankings, heads into this tie as a final tune-up before the Champions Trophy 2025. South Africa, on the other hand, trails behind in 6th and will venture into this eager to climb higher in the rankings with a strong outing.
This event will give both teams a chance to test combinations and experiment with the squad rotation. Since it’s happening after Tests and before T20Is, both countries will likely rest their veteran stars and give their emerging talents a platform to shine.
Preview of the T20 Series
The last part of the Cricket series India rounds things up with five explosive matches that will take place within 16 days. Apparently, it’s the only event where India appears to have the upper hand in head-to-head over SA. But it remains to see if India will extend their slender lead or SA will close the gap.
The T20 series holds significance because both nations are preparing for the T20 World Cup 2026. Will it be the spin of India or the pace of South Africa for the win? We’ll see.
The Takeaway
When India or SA steps onto the pitch, it’s never just a routine fixture, regardless of the format. They’re playing for bragging rights, not just wins. While this cricket tour may not declare a champion, it will show who is gaining momentum and where both teams stand heading into the next global test.
