The series decider was played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. KL Rahul, for a change, decided to do the toss with his left hand and, finally, after 20 consecutive toss defeats, India won the toss and opted to bowl first.

India’s 2–0 defeat to South Africa at home was more than a scoreline. It exposed deeper issues in preparation, selection and approach. From an Eden surface shaped by external influence to a free-flowing South African batting display in Guwahati, the series underlined the widening gap between stability and improvisation. As questions arise over India’s Test structure, this result stands as a clear reminder that the long format rewards clarity, not uncertainty.

The much awaited India vs. Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup 2025 turned into an arena of political drama instead of unadulterated cricketing excellence, as political tensions following the recent military confrontation spilled onto the pitch with ferocity. India won over Pakistan by seven wickets in their September 14 group stage match in Dubai, but the result of the match was marred by the political gesture that followed.

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, ending a 14-year career that redefined India’s approach to the format. With 123 matches and 9,230 runs, his legacy as a fearless leader and game-changer will remain etched in cricket history.