India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.
In the all-rounders' list, Ravindra Jadeja is placed 10th, while the top spot continues to be held by Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan.
A struggling, but promising South African unit will be aiming to avenge the heartbreak of 2024 by securing the grandest prize in T20I cricket on Indian soil, with the Proteas' 'Gen-Next' of Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kwena Maphaka in the spotlight.
To witness over 100,000 people sitting in stunned silence is not a sight one can forget easily.
'India is struggling against spin. So how do you solve that? Try to rearrange the batting order in a way that naturally good players of spin are batting up the order, and people like Tilak Varma, who is struggling a little bit, can come down the order.'
India faced a heavy defeat against South Africa in their T20 World Cup Super Eights opener after a batting collapse while chasing 188. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav admitted the failure to build partnerships cost them the game.
Aiden Markram and Mitchell Santner's individual performances could potentially decide the outcome of the T20 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
India will look to address several lingering selection puzzles when they take on South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday in the first ODI of the three-match series, where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the set-up for a short audition that could well shape their 2027 World Cup fate.
Sikandar Raza's superb all-round show, a blazing 73 and three key wickets, kept Zimbabwe in the contest before South Africa steadied nerves to seal a five-wicket win and book a T20 World Cup semi-final clash with New Zealand.
South Africa fought a rearguard action to turn the second Test against Pakistan on its head and take the upper hand after an enthralling third day's play on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket hit a new low as he joined an unusual list of players dominated by tailenders.
Team India on Friday went through an optional net session in Visakhapatnam on Friday with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma sweating it out under lights ahead of the ODI series decider against South Africa.
Little-known ambidextrous Bengal spinner Kaushik Maity seamlessly doubled up for both roles during the optional practice session.
'The 50-over format is very hard on the body but that's something I wanted to experience. I always like to challenge myself.'
When I think of the character of this team, our never-say-die attitude stands out. There are only three of us who have played over 50 Tests, but we never back down from a challenge
Hardik Pandya marked his return to the Indian team from a two-month injury layoff with a match-winning half-century.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between India and South Africa, in Kolkata, on Friday.
Afghanistan faces a must-win situation against South Africa in their Group D match of the T20 World Cup after a defeat to New Zealand. South Africa, with a strong win over Canada, leads the group. The match is crucial for Afghanistan's chances of advancing to the Super Eight stage.
'There is a lot of inspiration we can draw from in the brand of cricket we have played in the last three or four years.'
Temba Bavuma discusses the no-handshake policy in India-Pakistan cricket, South Africa's T20 World Cup chances, and Indian batters' struggles against spin.
Aiden Markram praised South Africa's bowlers for restricting New Zealand, leading to a seven-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup. Markram's unbeaten 86 and Jansen's 4/40 were key to the win.
This was the first-ever double Super Over in the history of the T20 World Cup.
South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad is backing his spin troika of Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer to match their seasoned counterparts from India and "make history of our own" in the upcoming Test series
The T20 WC champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
Bangladesh had been set a target of 274 for the win but resumed on the third morning on 11 for three and were bowled out inside 55 minutes.
Rohit Sharma followed up his knock of 73 in the second ODI in Adelaide with a match-winning unbeaten 121 in Sydney to be named the Player of the Series.
South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj took the key wicket of first innings centurion Mahmudul Hasan Joy as Bangladesh slipped to 11/3 in pursuit of a victory target of 274 at the close of play on day four of the first Test.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram said their Test victory over hosts Pakistan in difficult conditions was a major confidence boost for the tourists, who will be heading to India next and expect an even sterner test.
Clinical South Africa hammer West Indies by nine wickets, seal semifinal spot
With the scars of last year's home series whitewash against New Zealand still raw, preparing rank turners may invite risk.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood scored 87 as the hosts reached 259 for 5 at the close of play on Day 1 of the second Test against a wasteful South Africa, who were poor in the field but kept in the contest by fine bowling in Rawalpindi on Monday.
South Africa crushed England by seven wickets in their final group match to storm into the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.
S Africa select young guns Brevis, Pretorius for Australia tour
SA20 turns 4: Social healer, job creator and a new lucrative option for players around globe
South Africa won the first Test in Durban by 220 runs, where they bowled Bangladesh out for 53 in their second innings.
Kuldeep Yadav has acknowledged that playing all three formats "is a luxury" but an attacking mindset has kept him relevant in the face of stiff competition.
Six uncapped players named in South Africa ODI squad
A preview of Group D in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa's premier left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is confident that slow bowlers will play a vital role on flat decks expected to be on offer during the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas in June.
South Africa sharpen spin game in attacking net session ahead of Eden Test
