Guwahati, Nov 21; Hosting its first ever Test match, steps onto the global cricket stage on Friday with all the drama that only red-ball cricket can deliver. India enter the contest under pressure, trailing 0–1 after a shock loss in Kolkata, while South Africa arrive with the confidence of a side on the verge of making history. A 2-0 sweep on Indian soil is within touching distance a feat the Proteas have never achieved.
Conditions at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium add to the intrigue. The toss could prove decisive, with the new surface expected to show inconsistent bounce and early turn. Batting first is likely to offer the best chance of controlling the game.
India will bank on Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to blunt the new ball. But the real momentum-changer could be Rishabh Pant, whose ability to shift gears can steady an innings or spark a counterattack at will.
With the pitch shaping into a spinner’s ally, India’s trio — Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be central to the hosts’ plans. In Kolkata, the Proteas handled the turning ball better, so India’s spinners are expected to strike early and often.
For South Africa, runs from Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Ryan Rickelton will be key to weathering India’s attack. Middle-order players Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne have also shown the ability to absorb pressure and deny India breakthroughs.
India’s pace duo Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj remain the biggest threats with the new ball. If they deliver early wickets, India can claw back control. But the Proteas bowlers particularly Simon Harmer and Marco Jansen will look to continue their dominance, even if minor niggles force minor changes in the lineup.
The pitch is expected to deteriorate rapidly, making batting last a daunting challenge. Any team posting 250 in the first innings could seize a commanding advantage. India, wary of a repeat of the Kolkata collapse, need discipline and partnerships to script a comeback.
Every session promises momentum shifts. Five days of tension, high skill, and strategic battles await as India look to stay alive in the series and South Africa chase a historic 2–0 sweep.