Rishabh Pant Targets Sehwag’s Long-Standing India Record Ahead of South Africa Test Series

India and South Africa are set to resume their Test rivalry when the two-match series begins on November 14, marking the next phase of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The matches will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, as both teams aim to strengthen their positions in the WTC standings — with India chasing consistency and South Africa defending their title credentials.

Form and Team News

India enter the series in strong form after drawing 2-2 in England and sweeping the West Indies 2-0 earlier in the cycle. Captain Shubman Gill has been in sublime touch, averaging nearly 79 this year with five centuries in seven Tests.

The return of Rishabh Pant adds explosive depth to India’s middle order, while Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul provide much-needed stability. On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj lead a potent pace unit, complemented by Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, who are expected to dominate on spin-friendly surfaces.

India’s dominant home record — losing just two Tests in the past decade — gives them a clear edge. But South Africa’s world-class pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, ensures there will be no easy sessions for the hosts.

Key Indian Milestones To Watch

161 runs – Shubman Gill needs this to become the second-fastest Indian to reach 3,000 Test runs, behind Virender Sehwag, who achieved it in 55 innings.

1 century – Gill requires one more hundred to record the most Test centuries by an Indian in a single calendar year.

4 sixes – Gill is also just four sixes away from becoming the ninth Indian to hit 50 or more sixes in Test cricket.

2 sixes – Rishabh Pant is closing in on Sehwag’s long-standing record for the most Test sixes by an Indian (91). He currently sits two behind.

15 runs – KL Rahul needs this to reach the 4,000-run milestone in Tests.

10 runs – Ravindra Jadeja is on the verge of joining an elite all-rounders’ club, becoming only the fourth player in history to tally 4,000 runs and 300+ wickets in Tests — alongside Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori.

12 wickets – Jadeja also needs 12 more to become the fourth-fastest Indian to 350 Test wickets, behind Ravichandran Ashwin (66 matches).

12 wickets – Kuldeep Yadav requires the same number to complete 350 international wickets across formats.