### India vs South Africa: A Historic Test Series at Eden Gardens India and South Africa are set to clash in a highly anticipated two-match Test series, commencing on November 14, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This series marks the return of Test cricket to this historic venue after six years, with India looking to assert their dominance at home against the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa. The backdrop of this series is rich with history, as both teams have faced each other numerous times, with India having a strong home record against South Africa. The stakes are high, as this series will also impact the standings in the new World Test Championship cycle. ### Structure of the Upcoming Test Series 1. **Match Details** - The first Test will take place from November 14 to 18, 2025, at Eden Gardens, followed by the second Test in Guwahati starting November 22, 2025 [https://www.businessupturn.com/sports/cricket/ind-vs-sa-1st-test-pitch-report-curators-comments-and-predicted-india-xi-for-eden-gardens-clash]. 2. **Team Form and Expectations** - India enters the series with a recent 2-0 victory over the West Indies, showcasing their strong home form. Shubman Gill leads the Indian side, while South Africa, under Temba Bavuma, aims to leverage their experience as the defending World Test Champions [https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/ind-vs-sa-3-south-africa-players-who-can-pose-serious-threat-to-india-in-test-series-2025-11-12-1017136]. 3. **Key Player Battles** - The series will feature intriguing player matchups, including Rishabh Pant's return to the Indian lineup and South Africa's spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy, who could pose significant challenges on Indian pitches [https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/3-player-battles-watch-ind-vs-sa-2025-test-series-ft-rishabh-pant]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Historical Context** - India has a strong record at Eden Gardens, having hosted 42 Tests since 1934, with a notable home win percentage [https://www.crickettimes.com/2025/11/ind-vs-sa-team-indias-test-record-at-eden-gardens-ahead-of-2025-series]. - **Recent Performance** - South Africa's last Test series in India resulted in a 3-0 defeat, and they have not won a Test match on Indian soil since 2010 [https://www.mensxp.com/sports/cricket/180554-gandhi-mandela-trophy-how-history-will-be-made-at-eden-gardens-even-before-a-ball-is-bowled.html]. - **Pitch Conditions** - The Eden Gardens pitch is expected to support spin and reverse swing, which could favor India's bowling attack, particularly with the return of Rishabh Pant, who adds depth to the batting lineup [https://www.businessupturn.com/sports/cricket/ind-vs-sa-1st-test-india-return-to-eden-gardens-after-six-years-for-red-ball-heres-a-look-at-their-test-record-in-kolkata]. ### Conclusion: A Clash of Titans In summary, the upcoming Test series between India and South Africa promises to be a thrilling contest with significant implications for both teams in the World Test Championship. 1. **India's Home Advantage**: With a strong home record and recent form, India is favored to perform well. 2. **South Africa's Challenge**: As the defending champions, South Africa will look to overcome their historical struggles in India. 3. **Key Players to Watch**: The performances of players like Rishabh Pant and South Africa's spinners will be crucial in determining the series outcome. This series not only serves as a test of skill and strategy but also as a celebration of cricketing history, with the unique Gandhi-Mandela Trophy adding a layer of significance to the matches [https://www.mensxp.com/sports/cricket/180554-gandhi-mandela-trophy-how-history-will-be-made-at-eden-gardens-even-before-a-ball-is-bowled.html].