The Indian cricket team take on South Africa in a three-match Test series starting on December 26. The first of the three Tests will be played at SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion followed by matches at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that all three matches will be played behind closed doors meaning that no spectators will be allowed inside the stadium. The decision was taken following a surge in rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
Meanwhile, India is set to be without their opening batsman Rohit Sharma who was ruled out of the red-ball series owing to a hamstring injury. The newly appointed limited-overs captain suffered the injury during a net session before the Indian team’s departure for the rainbow nation.
Furthermore, with Shubman Gill also absent, India are likely to open the Boxing Day Test with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
On the other hand, the Proteas have named a strong squad for the Test series, with the star trio of Kagiso Rabada, Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma all included. Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi and Aiden Markram are the other stalwarts while Sisanda Magala and Ryan Rickelton have received their maiden Test call-ups.
India vs South Africa Test head-to-head
Since their first-ever meeting in 1992, India and South Africa have played 39 Test matches. During this time, India have won 14 matches while South Africa have come out victorious on 15 occasions. As many as 10 matches have ended in a draw.
Interestingly, India have never won a Test series on South Africa soil. Between 1992-2020, India have played seven Test series in South Africa, losing six and drawing one.
India vs South Africa Tests schedule and live India match times
All times in Indian Standard Time (IST)
| Day and Date | Match | Time | Venue |
| Sunday, December 26 | South Africa vs India, 1st Test | 1:30 PM IST | SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium |
| Monday, January 3 | South Africa vs India, 2nd Test | 1:30 PM IST | Wanderers Stadium |
| Tuesday, January 11 | South Africa vs India, 3rd Test | 2:00 PM IST | Newlands Cricket Ground |
India vs South Africa Test squads
India full squad: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Priyank Panchal, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj
South Africa full squad: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen. Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier
Where to watch India vs South Africa Test series 2021-22 live in India?
The live telecast of India vs South Africa Test series can be viewed on the Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports 1 Hindi HD TV channels in India.
The live streaming of India vs South Africa Test series will be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and JioTV.
SportsAdda will bring you India vs South Africa Test series live scores.
Featured photo: AFP / Money Sharma
