Gavaskar Trophy, a young Indian side will be engaged in a four-match T20I series against South Africa in the Rainbow Nation from Friday, November 8. The iconic Kingsmead in Durban will host the series opener as the two teams meet for the first time since the T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados.

A four-match Twenty20 series against India comes at an opportune time for South Africa’s cricketers as it provides an additional stage to highlight their skills before the Indian Premier League auction later this month,

To cater to the Indian audience, South Africa have kept the match timings slightly preferable to the Indian Standard Time (IST). Hence, the first, third and fourth T20Is will start at 8:30 pm IST. The second T20I is much better as it will start at 7:30 pm IST.

Captain Aiden Markram said he would be happy if the Proteas stars performed well and attracted the attention of owners and scouts in the lead-up to the IPL mega auction. India and South Africa will play a 4-match T20I series,

Revenge might certainly be on the South African players’ minds when they face India in the first of four T20Is in Durban on Friday. Both teams, however, will also have an eye on the future, especially the Indians who are going through a period of transition right now.

A clutch of second-line stars such as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will be hoping for a breakaway series in the four T20Is against South Africa, starting with the first contest here Friday.

Players from both sides will have an added incentive to be at their best during the four-match contest as it comes right ahead of the IPL mega auction

South Africa's captain Aiden Markram emphasised that the upcoming T20I series against India won't be viewed as a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, with no revenge plans in mind as both teams prepare for the November 8 opener.