India and South Africa are once again up for the high-stakes second and final Test starting on November 22 in Guwahati. India, having endured a catastrophic start with a humiliating 30-run loss in the first Test, are under huge pressure to challenge the Proteas and avoid another series defeat at home. South Africa’s win in the opening Test was not only significant in margin but emphatic in manner. On a turning track at the Eden Gardens, the Proteas demonstrated their adaptability and discipline, outplaying India across departments.
Their spinners extracted a decisive bite from the surface, while the batting attack led by Temba Bavuma held its nerve in challenging conditions. Their victory in the first game has given them a wave of momentum heading into the Guwahati clash. Meanwhile, adding to India’s worries is the uncertain availability of skipper Shubman Gill, who retired hurt in the first innings of the Kolkata Test due to a neck injury.
The team management has offered no clear update yet, and Gill’s fitness remains a cloud hovering over India’s preparation. If Gill is unavailable for the second Test, then in all likelihood, Sai Sudharsan is expected to feature in the playing XI and bat at No. 3. In the first test, Washington Sundar had batted at no. 3 in Gill's absence.
Now, trailing 0–1 in a two-match series leaves India with no room for error. India's key Indian players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will need to step up to bolster the batting unit, which struggled against the Proteas’ disciplined attack.
Head-to-head
Matches - 45
SA won - 19
IND won - 16
Drawn - 10
India likely XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (c&wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
South Africa likely XI: 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