Guwahati/Patiala, 22 November (Sports Desk)
-India vs South Africa, 2nd Test – Day 1
(November 22, 2025)
. The match at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati (the easternmost Test venue in India) saw South Africa, leading the series 1-0, win the toss and bat first on a flat pitch with early seam movement that later offered spin. India’s bowlers fought back strongly in the final session, taking 4/74 to restrict the Proteas to 247/6 in 81.5 overs before bad light ended play early (fewer than the usual 90 overs). Day 2 starts at 9:30 AM IST on November 23.
India, captained by Rishabh Pant (deputizing for injured Shubman Gill), will aim to wrap up the innings quickly and build a lead on a track expected to deteriorate. South Africa eyes a series-sealing win, their first in India since 2000.
Toss and Playing XIs
- Toss: South Africa won and elected to bat first.
- India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. Notes: Spin-heavy lineup with Jadeja, Kuldeep, and Sundar; Reddy adds all-round depth.
- South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi. Notes: Kagiso Rabada injured; Ngidi returns for pace support alongside Jansen; spin from Maharaj.
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South Africa 1st Innings: 247/6 (81.5 overs) – Batting Summary South Africa posted a competitive total thanks to two 80+ partnerships but lacked a big score, with all top-six batters getting starts. The opening stand was the series’ best (82), but India’s spinners exploited turn post-tea. Senuran Muthusamy (25*) and Kyle Verreynne (1*) resume tomorrow.
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram | b Bumrah (inside edge onto stumps) | 38 | ~70 | 4 | 0 |
| Ryan Rickelton | c Pant b Kuldeep | 35 | 72 | 4 | 0 |
| Tony de Zorzi | c Pant b Siraj | 28 | 59 | 3 | 1 |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | c Rahul b Kuldeep | 41 | 65 | 4 | 0 |
| Tristan Stubbs | c Jurel b Jadeja | 49 | 78 | 5 | 1 |
| Wiaan Mulder | b Kuldeep | 18 | 32 | 2 | 0 |
| Senuran Muthusamy | not out | 25 | 45 | 2 | 0 |
| Kyle Verreynne (wk) | not out | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | (b 4, lb 3, w 2, nb 1) | 10 | – | – | – |
| Total | 247/6 (81.5 overs) | – | – | – | – |
Partnership Highlights: 82-run opening stand (Markram-Rickelton); 84 for the 4th (Bavuma-Stubbs). Run rate: ~3.03.
India’s Bowling Figures Kuldeep Yadav starred with a three-for, turning the game in the evening. Bumrah’s control was key early, while Siraj struck with the second new ball.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 17 | 6 | 38 | 1 | 2.23 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 17.5 | 3 | 59 | 1 | 3.30 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 20 | 3 | 48 | 3 | 2.40 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 15 | 2 | 52 | 1 | 3.46 |
| Washington Sundar | 14 | 3 | 36 | 0 | 2.57 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 5 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 2.40 |
Session Summary
- Session 1 (to Tea, 26.5 overs): 82/1 – Solid start for SA; Markram dropped on 4 by KL Rahul at slip, but Bumrah yorked him with an inside edge on the last ball before break.
- Session 2 (post-Tea, ~30 overs): ~90/2 – Kuldeep struck immediately to remove Rickelton (caught behind); Bavuma-Stubbs steady.
- Session 3 (28.5 overs): 74/4 – India’s surge: Kuldeep (2/10) dismissed Bavuma (lured into false shot, caught at slip) and Mulder (bowled); Jadeja got Stubbs pushing hard; Siraj’s first ball after new ball edged de Zorzi to Pant.
Key Moments
- Bumrah’s Breakthrough: Castled Markram (38) with a fuller delivery that induced an inside edge—right on the stroke of tea, breaking the 82-run stand. Markram had survived an early drop on 4.
- Kuldeep’s Purple Patch: 3/48, including Rickelton (caught behind off turn), Bavuma (edged a false shot to Rahul at slip), and Mulder (bowled through the gate). His spell post-tea swung momentum.
- Siraj’s Late Strike: Outside edge from de Zorzi (28) on the first ball with the second new ball—Pant dived low for a sharp catch.
- Pitch/Conditions: Flat and batsman-friendly after initial moisture; some turn for spinners later. Clear skies (28-30°C) turned misty, forcing early stumps at 4:44 PM IST due to bad light.
- Series Context: SA leads 1-0 after Kolkata thriller; India needs a win to force a decider in Mumbai. Pant’s captaincy debut featured proactive fields and two catches.
Day 2 Preview
- SA’s tail (Jansen, Maharaj, Ngidi) vulnerable to Bumrah-Siraj with a fresh ball.
- India’s chase: Jaiswal-Rahul to attack on a slowing track.
- Weather: Sunny, no rain expected.
