Overview
- The series begins Friday in Kolkata, with the second Test on November 22 in Guwahati, where the BCCI has brought forward play to 9 a.m. and moved tea to 11 a.m., lunch to 1:20 p.m., and stumps to 4 p.m. to maximise daylight.
- New Delhi was removed from the schedule because of poor air quality, and Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati will host a men's Test for the first time.
- Pitch preparation points to more traditional surfaces that aid seam early and deteriorate later, with South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj expecting good wickets rather than rank turners.
- South Africa arrive as World Test Champions with spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer fresh from a prolific Pakistan tour, while India lean on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj up front and welcome Rishabh Pant back to a full-strength batting lineup.
- Graeme Smith and Faf du Plessis stress the need for an early foothold in a short series, as South Africa seek a first Test win in India since 2010 and a first series triumph there since 2000.