After marathon meetings between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa, India’s tour of South Africa has been confirmed. To the delight of cricket fans of both countries, the two teams will play three Tests and three ODIs. The T20 leg of the series will be played at a later date.

Both teams will be motivated by different factors to win the Test series, in particular. Dean Elgar’s South Africa will want to put on a dominant show to prove they are still formidable opponents at home, and possess the resources to beat settled Test teams like India.

While South Africa is confident of its world-class bowling unit, there will be pressure on the batting group to deliver a high volume of runs. Since Faf du Plessis’ retirement from Test cricket, South Africa gave Keegan Petersen an opportunity to bat at number 4 during South Africa’s tour of the West Indies.

Petersen would have liked to score more runs in the West Indies, but the South African management should stick with him and give him a long run to prove his mettle at the international level.

Rassie van der Dussen, who has been one of South Africa’s most consistent batters in the last two years, will want to score his debut hundred against India. He has the technique to counter high-quality fast bowling, and South Africa will need big runs from him in this series.

Temba Bavuma, now one of the most experienced members of the Test team, will also need to show some form. His last Test century came against England in 2015, and he would desperately look to change that against India. Bavuma has been at the receiving end of significant criticism on social media, with numerous fans of the game questioning his position in the team. This series is the ideal opportunity for Bavuma to silence his critics, and prove that he can be a force to reckon with at Test level.

Wiaan Mulder has cemented the all-rounder’s spot in the lineup. Mulder has been terrific with the ball, particularly in seaming conditions. He has not had the opportunity to display his skills with the bat in his short career, thus far. If the match situation presents itself, Mulder would like to showcase his talent with the bat in this series as well.

The bowling unit, comprising Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, and Wiaan Mulder, will be high on confidence after performing well consistently over the last two days. It remains to be seen if Lungi Ngidi will be fit for the series, given he was recently diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Indian team will be determined to win this Test series. Having beaten Australia and dominated England away from home, India will be motivated to cap off an immensely successful year in Test cricket with a series win against South Africa. The fact that India have never been able to beat South Africa away from home will intensify their desire to deliver comprehensive performances in all disciplines of the game.

Like South Africa, India also have more questions to answer in their batting lineup, as opposed to the bowling unit. Rohit Sharma will be back as an opener. After a successful tour of England, Sharma will be high on confidence and will look to set strong foundations for India. Although Virat Kohli has not been at his best over the last year, he has an excellent record in South Africa, averaging 55.80, including two centuries and two half-centuries in five Tests.

At the moment, it is difficult to tell whether Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will feature in the series. Both, Pujara and Rahane, are highly respected Test cricketers, but their poor form over the last three years puts the team in a difficult spot, given that India normally play only six batters.

Unlike previous tours to South Africa, India are now armed with a battery of fast bowlers that are capable of succeeding in all conditions. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj have been exceptional, and their ability to swing the ball at pace can trouble South Africa’s batters.

India’s tour of South Africa is a mouthwatering proposition for fans of Test and ODI cricket. Both teams will look to play their best cricket. Whichever team comes out on top, cricket will be the ultimate winner.