Second test match from 22nd November in GuwahatiImage Credit source: PTI
It was only 13-14 months ago, when coming to India and winning a Test match, let alone a series, was like a dream for other teams. Even today it is not easy for other teams to win a Test match or series on Indian soil. But everything has changed in these 13 months. Now there have been cracks in the fort of Team India and it has become difficult to hide them. Last year, New Zealand gave the first but the biggest blow to Team India. Now South Africa is again close to scratching that wound. Team India has the challenge of stopping South Africa from doing so in the second Test match starting from 22nd November in Guwahati.
In October-November 2024, New Zealand came to India and gave a clean sweep to Team India 3-0. This was the most crushing and shameful defeat in the history of Indian cricket. The Indian team lost the Test series for the first time to New Zealand at home. Team India was defeated in the Test series at home for the first time since 2012. Above all, for the first time in its Test history, the Indian team had to face a clean sweep in a Test series at home. Now 13 months later, South Africa is also close to repeating the same incident.
South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the series by registering a sensational win in the first Test match played in Kolkata. Now the Indian team will have to defeat South Africa at any cost in Guwahati. But this is not going to be so easy because both the conditions and the pitch of Guwahati are unknown to the team. Also, Team India seems weaker and psychologically depressed than before. One reason for this is the defeat in the Kolkata Test within two and a half days and the other reason is captain Shubman Gill being out of the match due to injury.
At such a time, Rishabh Pant is commanding the team and it is not going to be easy for him. In his Test career so far, Pant has pulled Team India out of many difficult situations, but this situation is completely new for him because this time he will have to take decisions on the field, which will decide the course of the match. The first decision in this is regarding the playing-11, which was the subject of most questions in the last test match and due to this, head coach Gautam Gambhir is on everyone’s target.
It is believed that Team India can make two changes, in which Sai Sudarshan can be fielded in place of Gill and batting all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy can be fielded in place of spin all-rounder Akshar Patel. But only selection of players will not suffice, what will be their batting order is also important. Will Washington Sundar, who batted at number three in the last match, be fielded in the middle or lower order again after Sudarshan’s arrival? Will Dhruv Jurel or Nitish be sent at number four in place of Gill? These questions are going to be most important.
Whatever will be the result of the match, it will be historical because this match is going to be special in itself. Test cricket is being entered in Guwahati for the first time. This will be India’s 30th Test venue, which started in 1933 from the Gymkhana ground in Mumbai. Now Team India makes this special match memorable with its performance and victory, its decision will be taken in the next 5 days. South Africa also has a chance to create history here. With just one draw they will win the series and end the wait of 25 years. South Africa won the Test series in India for the only time in 1999-2000. Now that wait may be over.