Opener Mayank Agarwal stamped his authority on a struggling South African attack with a second successive hundred as India gained the upperhand on the opening day of the second Test.
There were many memorable performances in the league stages.
Big test for India, Eng; minnows likely to shake applecart
Dale Steyn has fully recovered from a shoulder injury and recently featured for the Melbourne Stars in Australia's domestic Big Bash league.
India will attempt to end its title drought against a South African side, which is unfamiliar with the winning feeling at major events.
Lungi Ngidi decimated India's top order as South Africa triumphed by five wickets
After storming to the title in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah said they desperately wanted to break the jinx of winning the title every two years.
South Africa's Quinton de Kock rediscovered his batting form with a career best 141 not out as the tourists seized control of the first Test against a wilting West Indies at the close of play on day two in Saint Lucia on Friday.
IPL 2020 has been an exhibition of superb fielding and here are glimpses of some of those efforts...
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad on Sunday
Having someone of Dhoni's calibre put his trust in me was massive for me, says Ngidi
'DC changed things around tonight by bowling with pace, taking pace off and varying it nicely, we weren't able to deal with that'
It was Marcus Stoinis at his destructive best on Monday as he took the RCB bowling apart in the final few overs.
A rampaging Kolkata Knight Riders stand in the way of Delhi Daredevils' revival plan as the two teams, with contrasting runs so far, gear up to clash in an Indian Premier League (IPL) fixture in Kolkata on Friday.
Mumbai Indians had roared back to form after thrashing RCB by five-wickets in the last game, there are problems aplenty for DC.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle list IPL 2020's 50 Most Valuable Players up to Match 25.
For the first time in a decade, South Africa have been forced to acknowledge they are on the decline following back-to-back series losses to India and England that have knocked them off the top of the Test rankings.
His Delhi Capitals pace partner Kagiso Rabada might be sitting on top of the wicket-takers' list, but Anrich Nortje has undoubtedly been one of the standout performers with the ball in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.
South Africa will head to India armed with three frontline slow bowlers in their Test squad after recalling leg-spinner Imran Tahir and off-break bowler Dane Piedt for the four-match series starting in November.
AB de Villiers smashed an unbeaten half-century as Royal Challengers Bangalore escaped with a narrow victory over Delhi Capitals in the IPL match in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
'We have to credit the Indian seamers who bowled really well. We will have to define ways to counter that in the second game.'
This wasn't just a win; it was a statement of intent from Bairstow. He single-handedly guided Punjab Kings to victory, firmly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the IPL. His redemption on that Friday night was extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression.
The Indian team management has asked Axar Patel to be mentally ready as he could be asked to bat in the top six.
Rishabh Pant's form would be an important sub-plot when India look to seize the advantage against South Africa
Australia bowled out South Africa for a below-par 212 despite David Miller's defiant 101 but the chase was not as straightforward as Pat Cummins and his team would have liked.
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has confirmed that Steve Smith will bat in the top three in the Indian Premier League
Seamer Ollie Robinson took 5/49 as England skittled South Africa out for 118 on the third day of the third Test at The Oval on Saturday, before grinding their way to 154/7 in reply, a lead of 36 runs.
Opener Fakhar Zaman's scintillating 193 was not enough for Pakistan who lost the second one-day international to South Africa by 17 runs at The Wanderers on Sunday as the hosts levelled the three-game series.
Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen impressed with the bat as a much-changed South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 16 runs to seal the Twenty20 International series at Centurion Park on Friday.
It was a dream comeback to the XI by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit 2 sixes and 9 boundaries for his 41-ball 68.
India's batting woes in South Africa continued as the visitors folded up for 187 on Day 1.
Rabada was pretty confident that bowling yorkers was the best option.
CSA had to postpone the match from its original date of June 27 as the government had not provided the necessary approval for training and match-day protocols.
JP Duminy has been named in the South African Twenty20 squad for the three-match home series against West Indies next month, but a number of other top players will again be rested.
The unbeaten Mumbai duo added 185 runs for the fourth wicket to rescue the hosts who looked in dire straits at 39 for three in the morning session after opting to bat in Ranchi.
South Africa are not sure how they are going to deal with England's new aggressive approach to playing Test cricket with coach Mark Boucher saying on Monday they will adopt a wait-and-see attitude when the first match starts at Lord's on Wednesday.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in Navi Mumbai on Monday.
Images from the World Cup match between South Africa and England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
Adjudged Man of the Match for his crucial innings, Hardik said he has been hitting the ball well.
India's journey into their ODI future will hit its first stop during the opening match against South Africa on Sunday.
