India are up against South Africa in the 2nd Test, set to start from Saturday (November 22) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
The match marks a historic occasion as the venue hosts its first-ever Test match, as the north-east city becomes the 30th venue of the country.
The pitch in Guwahati is expected to be a balanced surface with red soil and a uniform grass cover that should provide good bounce initially and turn as the game progresses. Captains Rishabh Pant for India and Temba Bavuma for South Africa anticipate a contest where batting conditions are favourable early on, but spinners will have a crucial role to play from the third day onwards. Given the novelty of the venue, both teams face the challenge of adapting quickly, especially since most players, except for Mohammed Siraj, have no prior experience playing red-ball cricket at Guwahati.
India comes into the match under pressure, having lost the first Test and facing the reality of possibly consecutive home series defeats. Shubman Gill, India’s regular captain, is ruled out with an injury, and Rishabh Pant will lead the team. The Indian batting lineup may see changes with potential inclusions like Nitish Kumar Reddy or Sai Sudharsan and possible adjustments to the bowling attack to strengthen the side. South Africa, missing their spearhead Kagiso Rabada due to injury, will rely heavily on their spinners, including Simon Harmer, to exploit the Guwahati pitch.
This Test match is set to be a gripping encounter with both teams eager to assert dominance in unfamiliar conditions. India aims to level the series and regain home advantage, while South Africa looks to cement their historic win and complete an unlikely series victory on Indian soil.
India and South Africa Squads
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (wk/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Akash Deep
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Zubayr Hamza, Senuran Muthusamy, Dewald Brevis
India vs South Africa Live Streaming: Where to Watch IND vs SA 2nd Test on TV and Online?
India
The India vs South Africa 2nd Test will telecast at the Star Sports network from 9 am IST and the match will be live-streamed via Jio Hotstar app and website.
USA
The India vs South Africa 2nd Test will be broadcast on Willow TV from 10:30 pm ET/7:30 pm PT on Friday (November 21).
UK
Sky Sports will broadcast the match from 3:30 am GMT in the early hours of Saturday.