India vs South Africa, Guwahati Test: Match preview and stats
What's the story
The second Test between India and South Africa will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, a first for the venue. The match is part of the ongoing series, which India trail 0-1 after losing the first Test in Kolkata. The absence of regular captain Shubman Gill due to a neck injury has added to India's challenges. Rishabh Pant will lead the team in Gill's absence. Here's more.
Team changes
Gill's absence and team composition
Gill, who retired hurt after facing just three balls in the first Test, is injured and there is speculation that either B Sai Sudharsan might get another chance or Nitish Kumar Reddy might be included for variety. The final decision on India's playing XI will depend on team strategy and player availability. South Africa's star bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second Test, but the specific nature or timing of his injury is not detailed.
Venue details
Guwahati's unique pitch and match timing
Guwahati will host its first-ever Test match, becoming India's eastern-most Test venue. The match will start at 9am local time to avoid early sunset. The first session break at 11am will be tea while lunch will be taken at 1:20pm. Both captains expect the pitch to be good for batting in early exchanges before starting to turn later on.
Kolkata
What happened in the 1st Test?
The 1st Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata saw India lose by 30 runs. SA were all out for 159 batting first as Jasprit Bumrah claimed a fifer. Aiden Markram (31) top-scored for them. In response, India posted 189/10 with KL Rahul (39) and Washington Sundar (29) making the top contributions. SA managed 153/10 in their second outing with skipper Bavuma scoring 55*. Chasing 124 for victory, India lost regular wickets and were eventually folded for 93.
Information
H2H record between the two sides
In terms of the H2H record, India and South Africa have clashed 45 times. India have won 16 games against SA, who have gone on to manage 19 wins. A total of 10 matches have been drawn.
XIs
A look at the likely XIs
India likely XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (captain, wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. SA likely XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder/ Dewald Brevis/ Senuran Muthusamy, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj.
Stats
Player focus: Here are the key stats
In 65 matches, Bavuma has amassed 3,766 runs from 112 innings at 38.42 with 4 tons and 26 fifties. Aiden Markram is set to feature in his 50th Test. From 49 matches, he owns 3,125 runs at 35.51. In 13 Tests, SA spinner Harmer has bagged 60 scalps at 23.38. He owns 7 four-fers and a fifer. For India, KL Rahul owns 4,025 runs from 66 matches (116 innings) at 36.26. Bumrah has picked 232 scalps from 51 Test matches.
Poll
