5 players who could be top wicket-takers in India vs South Africa Test series
The India vs South Africa Test series is expected to be a battle between elite bowling attacks. Here are five bowlers who could dominate and emerge as the top wicket-takers.
Last Updated: 05.13 PM, Nov 12, 2025
India and South Africa are going to put up a tough fight with their bowling weapons when they meet for a Test series startng on November 14. Each team is equipped with a good number of fast bowlers who can intimidate, and a couple of very good spinners who are capable of changing the entire game with their deliveries. Throughout the series, the fans should expect very different kinds of pitches to pose very different types of challenges to the teams, seam and swing to help South Africa, while spin and reverse swing will be India’s weapons.
Let’s have glimpse of five bowlers who might take up most wickets in India vs South Africa Test series:
1. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
The Indian red-ball cricket scenario lacks a bigger match-winner than Jasprit Bumrah. The most unorthodox thing about his work is probably the way he literally goes at the batter and yet statistically gets the best results. On top of that, his pace, and the fact that he can get movement off the ground even if it's not very fresh, makes him almost invincible in any kind of situation.
Bumrah is a wizard with the new ball and at the same time he is very hard to resist even when the ball is old. If the Indian pacer has to be at his devastating best pushing the South African line-up, that's when it'll be time for Bumrah with the new ball to capitalize on it in a big way.
2. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
Kagiso Rabada is the man South Africa can always count on to lead the charge against the opposition no matter whether it's Tests, ODIs, or T20s. To sum up, the dart he throws with his right hand is both very quick and very accurate at the same time. This is combined with Rabada being extremely aggressive towards the batter and has been the major cause of their fall in many situations.
The more the ball bounces and moves, the more helpful the South African is. Also, as a subcontinent specialist, he can do magic with short balls and can use them very effectively to get wickets there. The battles between Rabada vs Gill and Rabada vs Rahul might show what kind of a series we are going to have. With 270 plus wickets under his belt, Rabada’s unwavering spirit and guidance will be what’s standing between the Proteas and a successful tour in India.
3. Ravindra Jadeja (India)
Ravindra Jadeja is an effective worker in home Test matches and is a risky bowler as well. His precision, firmness of ball, and power of bowling on a rough side give him an advantage over the visiting team’s batters.
Moreover, his batting skill makes the team stronger. Thus, Jadeja can take the risks of bowling aggressively. South Africa’s middle order, which consists of Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, and others, can be broken by the Jadeja-led Indian bowling attack in the long spells.
4. Marco Jansen (South Africa)
Marco Jansen, who is 6’8” tall, has the qualities of bounce, angle, and natural variation that are different from the rest of the South Africa’s attack. The tall left arm fast bowler has gradually become one of the most dependable bowlers of the South African team. He could swing the ball into the right hand with a steep bounce and surprise the batsman.
Apart from Jansen providing some runs for the tail-enders, it is his ability to turn the game at the right moment that makes him outstanding. Indian batsmen should be worried about his late movement in light situation or with the second new ball.
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5. Kuldeep Yadav (India)
Recently, Kuldeep Yadav has regained his form that has been added to his natural talent, confidence and control. Even left-handers are not able to handle the pressure of facing his left-arm wrist spin, so if the pitch is for spin, he will likely be the most influential player.
India are to be spurred on to play their best spin game with Kuldeep along with Jadeja, in the face of South Africa, who are known to be vulnerable to quality spin. Without any doubt, if the spin-tracks prevail, Kuldeep is likely to be the leading wicket-taker of the series.