India Vs South Africa

India and South Africa have had a rich cricket history, with the former having been the first country to host the latter after ICC lifted the suspension on the Proteas, imposed in 1970 owing to the Apartheid policy.

The two teams are renewing their rivalry in an all format series in South Africa comprising of three T20Is, as many ODIs, and two Tests.

The Test series between the two is known as the Freedom Trophy or the Gandhi-Mandela trophy.

For the Indian cricket team, South Africa is the final frontier left to be conquered in the Tests. With the two match Test series in December-January, they'd be looking to change that. Their best outing in South Africa remains the 1-1 drawn series in 2010/11.

The last time India toured South Africa, the vistors had picked a 1-0 lead in the three-match series but were bested by Dean Elgar and Co in the remaining two games.

Even before the series begins though, India have been dealt a big blow in the bowling department with Mohammed Shami, who's been nursing an injury since the World Cup final, ruled out for the two games.

The two-match series is part of the 2023/25 World Test Championship cycle.