Maharaj the man for this season of South Africa's journey

Keshav Maharaj might have revelled in the spin-friendly conditions on South Africa's 2015 tour of India, but he made his Test debut the following year in the spin-unfriendly environment of the Waca. In his only series in India in 2019, he took six wickets at 85.66 across two matches.

Now Maharaj returns as South Africa's premier spinner, ranked behind only Noman Ali and Nathan Lyon among slow bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah leads the rankings, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja two and six places below Maharaj respectively.

It's rare for South Africa to theoretically pose a greater spin threat than India at home. South Africa last won a Test in India in Nagpur in February 2010. Since then, they have lost seven and drawn one. Historically, they have won one series in India (in 2000), lost four, and drawn two.

Maharaj said on Tuesday: "There's a real hunger and desire within the camp to beat India. It's one of the toughest tours in the calendar. This is one assignment we really want to take."

South Africa's squad includes Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy. In their recent two-Test series in Pakistan, Maharaj, Harmer, Muthusamy, and Prenelan Subrayen took 35 of the 39 wickets that fell to bowlers.

Asked if spinners would lead bowling discussions in India, Maharaj said: "No, the spinners do the least talking; regardless of the conditions."

On expected pitches, he said: "I don't think it will be as spin-friendly as we experienced in Pakistan. I think they will be good pitches that deteriorate as the game goes on. So probably more traditional Test pitches."

He based this on West Indies' Tests in Ahmedabad and Delhi last month, where spinners took 35 wickets and quicks took 18. India won both matches comfortably, though the Delhi Test reached the fifth day.

In 2015, R Ashwin was at his peak, taking 31 wickets at 11.12 in the series against South Africa—his best average in any series. India have since transitioned, with Bumrah now their star bowler, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Jadeja and Yadav remain key spinners.

Maharaj said: "They're a wonderful team and they've come a long way, especially with the transition they have made."

South Africa also have batters who have scored runs in Asia. Five current squad members—Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne—have centuries in Asia, though only Markram has played Tests in India.

The 2015 series was a watershed for both teams. Ten years on, another significant chapter could be about to unfold.