Bumrah to get rest vs South Africa? Ashwin predicts India’s lineup for South Africa test series at home
Ravichandran Ashwin suggests that Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for the two-Test series against South Africa in November, following India's white-ball tour to Australia.
Last Updated: 05.47 PM, Oct 09, 2025
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa in November. The Proteas, holders of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), will play the matches in Kolkata and Guwahati following India’s white-ball tour to Australia later this month.
“Axar Patel will play:” Ashwin
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin highlighted India’s abundance of all-rounders and the strategic options available for the home Tests.
He expressed confidence that Axar Patel would be in the playing XI, alongside other spinning all-rounders such as Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav.
According to Ashwin, such a line-up would strengthen India’s batting depth all the way down to No. 10 and provide potent spin resources, conditions that often play a pivotal role in home victories.
“Axar Patel will play. When South Africa comes, I think there will be a slightly stiffer test. They are the WTC champions, the holding champions. I think they will pose much higher competition. Still, there are not many spin options with South Africa. In India, if you want to win, you need batting that can play long, and you need spin bowling to stay tight as well. South Africa looks a little short on spin resources,” Ashwin expressed.
Burmah to get a rest during the South Africa series?
The veteran of 106 Tests also speculated that South Africa’s batting approach in Indian conditions remains unpredictable. He suggested that India’s rich pool of talent could allow selectors to experiment, potentially giving Bumrah some rest after a busy tour schedule.
“If you play Washi, Axar, and Jadeja, you will play Kuldeep as well. Batting will go up to number 10. I think Bumrah will get a rest against South Africa,” he added.
Ashwin did not limit his analysis to squad predictions. He also praised KL Rahul’s recent performance in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. In challenging batting conditions, Rahul scored a decisive century, which impressed the former spinner a lot.
“I always feel that KL Rahul makes tough runs look very easy. But I am so happy that KL Rahul found this game because he has the quality and class to handle such situations. It can be very easy to get out in matches like this, but he didn’t give up and converted it into a hundred,” Ashwin said. He added that Rahul’s innings demonstrated not just run-scoring capability but also resilience and hunger, qualities crucial for defining his long-term role in the Indian Test setup.
With Rahul in strong form, Ashwin hopes for a high finish to the series. “This hundred is not about KL Rahul’s game; this hundred is about defining KL Rahul, the batter, for the Indian team,” he concluded.
When is the India vs South Africa test series?
The South Africa tour of India will start on November 14 with two tests, followed by three ODIs and five T20Is. The first test will be played from November 14 to November 18 in Kolkata, while the final test will be played in Guwahati from November 22-26.