As India gears up to face South Africa in their third series of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle, former cricketer Suresh Raina has made an exciting prediction. The two-match Test series will begin at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14 to 18, followed by the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from November 22 to 26. Both teams are set to bring their best squads for what promises to be a thrilling red-ball contest.
Pant Returns To Test Squad After Injury Layoff
Among the biggest highlights for India is the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. The 28-year-old missed the last Test series against the West Indies due to a foot injury sustained on the first day of the fourth India-England Test in July 2025.
Now fully recovered, Pant has been included in the squad and is expected to play a crucial role in the home series against South Africa, who were the winners of the previous WTC cycle. Known for his fearless stroke play and ability to turn games around with aggressive batting, Pant’s comeback has boosted India’s confidence significantly.
Raina’s Predictions For Key Performers
In a video shared by Star Sports on X, Suresh Raina backed Pant to be the “X-factor” for India. He also picked world No. 1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah as the standout performer in the upcoming matches. Raina’s remarks underline how the playing conditions and early morning starts could play into India’s hands, especially with bowlers like Bumrah and spinners like Kuldeep Yadav.
He said :
“I think the standout player from India will be Jasprit Bumrah, because the matches in both grounds will start at 8.30 am. You will get to see a different kind of reverse swing, red ball alag tarah se chalegi, and Kuldeep Yadav. And the biggest X-factor will be Rishabh Pant, because Rishabh Pant has a different kind of batting style. Because the runs will be made with a lot of force, both the grounds are very small.”
Experts Back Pant To Shine Again
Adding to Raina’s view, former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar also named Pant among his top picks. “The standout player for me, always when it comes to Test Match Cricket, there are two people actually, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant,” Nayar said.
Pant’s record against South Africa supports these predictions—he has played three Tests against them, scoring 186 runs in six innings. With his form, fitness, and trademark aggression back, all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant to deliver a memorable performance in this much-anticipated Test series.
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