Temba Bavuma’s South African side will attempt to secure their first Test series triumph on Indian soil in 25 years when the second Test begins on Saturday in Guwahati.
The Proteas shocked the hosts with a dramatic win in a low-scoring opening Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, continuing their strong form since being crowned World Test Champions in June.
That Kolkata victory was South Africa’s first Test win in India since 2010, when they claimed the opening match of a two-game series.
After recently drawing 1-1 in Pakistan, South Africa are now targeting their first series victory in India since Hansie Cronje’s men achieved the feat back in 2000.
Coach Shukri Conrad praised his team’s performance, saying:
“We won the World Test Championship final at Lord’s earlier this year, but this win is right up there. Coming to India and achieving something we haven’t done for 15 years—this means a lot.
“What we may lack in pure ability, we make up for with unity, discipline, and resilience. We simply do not give up.”
South Africa stunned India on a difficult, turning wicket with uneven bounce, beating the hosts at their own spin-dominant strategy. Bavuma’s fighting 55* in the second innings proved decisive as the Proteas sealed victory within three days, after having bowled India out for just 93 in pursuit of 124.
Bavuma’s fifty was the only half-century in the match, highlighting the dominance of the bowlers.
The tourists have added Lungi Ngidi to the squad, while Kagiso Rabada—who missed the first Test with a rib issue—remains doubtful for the final encounter. Rabada watched as spinner Simon Harmer ripped through India with eight wickets in the match.
Concerns grow for India
India, meanwhile, face uncertainty over captain Shubman Gill’s availability. Gill withdrew from the first Test after suffering neck spasms and spent a night in hospital.
Although he traveled with the team to Guwahati, local media reports claim he is unlikely to play the second Test, leaving vice-captain Rishabh Pant to lead the side.
India’s decision to prepare a sharply turning pitch at Eden Gardens has come under heavy criticism after the batting collapse. The loss was India’s fourth defeat at home in their last six Tests, following a 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand last year.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly told India Today:
“I strongly believe Gautam Gambhir and his team should be playing on better pitches than what we saw at Eden Gardens.”
Pressure continues to mount on Gambhir, who took over from Rahul Dravid after India’s T20 World Cup win last year. His tenure has been difficult so far, with nine defeats in 18 Tests during a transition phase for Indian cricket.
Senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped away from T20 cricket after the World Cup and later retired from Test cricket, leaving Gill to take over the leadership role. He previously drew a hard-fought 2-2 series in England before guiding India to a 2-0 sweep over the West Indies.
The second Test in Guwahati—India’s newest Test venue—will begin early at 9:00 am (0330 GMT) due to early sunsets in the region, with session timings reversed, meaning tea will be taken before lunch.
