2nd Test: SA elect to bat; India make two changes
What's the story
South Africa have won the toss and opted to bat first in the second Test match against India at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati - India's newest Test venue. The hosts are looking to bounce back after their defeat in Kolkata. Captain Rishabh Pant has made two changes to the team. Sai Sudharsan comes in for Axar Patel, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is included in the absence of regular skipper Shubman Gill, who is recovering from an injury.
Team composition
South Africa's squad and strategy
South Africa has made one change to their XI, bringing in spinner Senuran Muthusamy for Corbin Bosch. The Proteas are looking to capitalize on their victory in Kolkata and secure a Test series win in India for the first time since 2000. Captain Temba Bavuma said, "We got to start afresh (after Kolkata win). This wicket looks a lot better, so we want to put up a big score."
Schedule adjustment
Unique match schedule and pitch conditions
The Guwahati Test will be a unique experience for players and fans alike, with tea being taken before lunch to make the most of daylight hours. The day's play will start at 9:00am IST and end around 4:00pm. Speaking of the pitch, Indian skipper Pant stated: "We feel the wicket is good for batting. But at the same time, bowling first is not a bad option either."
XIs
Here are the playing XIs
South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj. India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant(c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
1st Test
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.
Stats
Player focus: Here are the key stats
In 65 Test matches, Bavuma has amassed 3,766 runs from 112 innings at 38.42. Markram is featuring 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. Rishabh Pant became the second keeper after MS Dhoni to lead the Indian Test team. 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.