Spin the way to win? 3 SA stars who can pose maximum threat to upset India in upcoming Tests

South Africa players [Source: @ameer_shoraib/x]

Team India is set to host South Africa for a blockbuster two-match Test series at home after gaining some winning momentum with a series triumph over West Indies last month. The upcoming contest marks another crucial chapter in India’s ongoing transition phase under new captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Getting smothered in Australia at the face of ageing Test veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma earlier this year, narrowly escaping with a 2-2 draw against a weakened English team after their retirements, and regaining lost momentum against West Indies at home; India now faces another stern examination against a determined Proteas group.

The scars of India’s last year’s home setback against New Zealand still seem to linger, and the South African cricket team, armed with a stable middle order, a formidable pace unit and an all-firing spin attack will be keen to exploit any hint of vulnerability.

As South Africa look to replicate New Zealand’s heroics in India from last year, here is a look at three visiting Proteas cricketers who can torment Shubman Gill and co. throughout the upcoming two-match World Test Championship (WTC) rubber.

1. Keshav Maharaj

Keshav Maharaj recently made a triumphant return to the South African team, celebrating the occasion with a match-winning seven-wicket haul against Pakistan in Rawalpindi last month. A veteran of 60 Test matches for South Africa, the 35-year-old has so far harvested 212 wickets in his prolific career at an impressive bowling average of 29.20.

While Keshav Maharaj averages an expensive 85.66 in Test matches in India and 94.75 against them overall (his worst against any single opponent), his recent resurgence coupled with years of experience and renewed confidence indicate that the senior pro will be eager to rewrite those numbers and make a strong statement on Indian soil.

Keshav Maharaj Test stats since 2024

Keshav Maharaj is also a handy lower-order batting candidate, who holds a penchant of frustrating even the best of bowling attacks.

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2. Simon Harmer

Simon Harmer, a recipient of exactly a 1,000 first class wickets, led the wicket-taking charts for South Africa in their recent two-match series in Pakistan, snaring 13 scalps in just four innings at an exceptional bowling average of 21.30 with a strike rate of 42.53. Unlike Keshav Maharaj, Harmer holds successful Test match experience in India, considering he picked up 10 Indian wickets back during his 2015 tour in four innings at an average of 25.40.

With a pedigree of bowling in all conditions and a fondness of flourishing on turning wickets, Simon Harmer’s ability makes him a lethal spin exponent who could once again trouble India’s batters with his sharp turn and relentless accuracy.

Simon Harmer red-ball stats stats

Apart from his recent form and wealth of first-class experience, the Essex legend has also amassed over 6,500 red-ball runs with the bat at an impressive lower-order average of nearly 24.

3. Senuran Muthusamy

Senuran Muthusamy is another South African spinner who had a Pakistan tour to remember, as the 31-year-old bagged the ‘Player of the Series’ award for picking up 11 wickets and for scoring over 100 runs with the bat. His 11-wicket match haul in Lahore became a spell to remember, and his gritty 89* in Rawalpindi laid out the foundation of a historic eight-wicket win for his nation.

With just seven Test caps to his name, Muthusamy is already on the right path to becoming a dependable all-round option for South Africa, especially for subcontinental tours. He played two of those matches in India, albeit with little-to-no success, back in 2019. Now, with another shot at India on the horizon, Muthusamy has the perfect stage to rewrite his subcontinental story.

Senuran Muthusamy stats

Given India’s recent inconsistencies against quality spin, the trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy could well pose the kind of threat that unsettled them against New Zealand last year.

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