India’s tour of Proteas will begin tomorrow and this series comes at a time when international cricket is crying out for a context and contest and this challenge will determine Virat Kohli and his young brigade’s legacy. India has not a won a Test series in South Africa since SA's readmission to international cricket in 1992. The best result that India has managed so far has been a drawn series (1-1) in 2010-11. The series will be fought on India's strong batting vs South Africa's pace bowling. India's batting will be led by Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane and will have to counter Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. The series will see two different individuals leading their respective sides. On one hand, Virat Kohli will be pumped up to better India's record overseas while du Plessis will use his calm and wits to outsmart mighty Indians.

South Africa was the country where Sachin Tendulkar scored his last Test hundred (51) at Newlands, Cape Town in 2011. Incidentally, Tendulkar had also scored his 50th Test century in the rainbow city at Centurion, 2010. India has not lost a Test series since 2015 tour of Sri Lanka. On the flip side, India has played most of its cricket in India and subcontinental conditions. All rounder Ravindra Jadeja, for the team Indian, appears a doubtful starter for the opening Test against South Africa starting on January 5 in Cape Town after being diagnosed with a viral illness.