South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj (L) hugs captain Temba Bavuma as they celebrate their team’s win against India at the end of their first Test cricket match in the Eden Gardens of Kolkata on November 16, 2025. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
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On Wednesday, South Africa recorded one of its biggest wins over India. Tasting their first victory on Indian soil in 25 years, South Africa cruised to success with ease and scripted off multiple records in the process. During the second test in Guwahati, the Proteas ended the second innings on 260-5 to set a target of 549 and bowled India out for 140. After a 30-run loss in Kolkata, followed by a 408-run defeat, South Africa managed a historic 2-0 series sweep and handed India one of its toughest defeats by a margin of runs.
South Africa Ends Their Drought
South Africa’s victory over India has been truly long-awaited. After the last series sweep under Hansie Cronje’s leadership in 2000, the team faced crushing defeats in India in 2015 and 2019. Now, under Temba Bavuma’s leadership, the team pulled off a win for the books.
“Coming to India is always a tough prospect. What makes it sweeter is the fact that we have been on the other side of the result. We know how dark it can be,” Bavuma stated in the post-match interview. The 35-year-old test captain knows the significance of this win, as the team exceeded their own expectations and created “some memorable moments.”
Notably, this performance also highlights Bavuma’s consistency and leadership. He is yet to lose a test as a captain, helping the Proteas claim 11 wins in test matches. Since the start of his tenure in 2023, Bavuma has maintained South Africa’s dominance in red-ball cricket. Leading the team to win the World Test Championship against Australia to secure the country’s first-ever ICC title, along with victories over Pakistan and the West Indies.
South Africa now sits in second position in the World Test Championship standings with 36 points. Following a victory against Pakistan in Rawalpindi last month, and now India as well, helping their PCT improve from 66.67 to 75, trailing behind Australia. The defending champions have won three of four matches so far in the ongoing championships cycle.
On the other hand, India’s defeat in Guwahati underscores the need for a strong comeback. Slipping below Pakistan and Sri Lanka at fifth position, India has only claimed four wins out of nine test matches.
This loss also led to heavy criticism of India’s performance under head coach Gautam Gambhir, as they now face two home series losses over the past two consecutive years (0-3 to New Zealand). “Test match cricket requires a different mindset, you can’t really have so many all-rounders, so much chopping and changing, so many changes in the batting order, in the team itself,” retired cricketer Anil Kumble stated.
Highlighting the team’s instability in red-ball cricket after the retirement of veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara, Kumble added, “When stalwarts retire, you need a vision. You can’t throw players in and hope they develop when you have only one or two experienced names left.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/parasjan/2025/11/26/south-africa-claims-historic-victory-against-india-with-a-2-0-series-sweep/
