South Africa take a one nil lead into the second and final Test after a stunning thirty run win over India at Eden Gardens. Now the series shifts to Guwahati and the Barsapara Stadium, which will host its first ever Test. India suddenly find themselves under pressure to avoid a home series defeat, while South Africa have a chance to back up their World Test Championship title with a landmark series victory in India.
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India vs South Africa 2nd Test Preview & Betting Tips
Guwahati, Saturday 22nd November, 3.00pm AEDT
India
Squad: Rishabh Pant (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhrub Jurel, Devdutt Padikal, KL Rahul, Sai Sundersan, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
India’s defeat in Kolkata was as bruising as it was unexpected. They held a narrow first innings lead after making 189 in reply to South Africa’s 159, built on KL Rahul’s patient 39 and important contributions from Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Jasprit Bumrah was outstanding with the ball, taking 5/27, while Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav kept the pressure on to bowl South Africa out for 153 in the second innings. That should have left India with a comfortable chase of 124.
Instead the batting collapsed dramatically. India were dismissed for just 93, suffering their first Test defeat at Eden Gardens since 2012. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj ran through the order, and only Axar Patel with 26 showed real resistance. Captain Shubman Gill retired hurt on four in the first innings with a neck injury and did not bat in the second. He has been ruled out of the Guwahati Test, with Rishabh Pant to take over the captaincy. India must find both stability at the top of the order and a far better method against South Africa’s spinners if they want to square the series.
South Africa
Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Zubary Hamza, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada
South Africa arrive in Guwahati full of belief after an away victory that will rank among their most impressive in recent years. On a challenging surface in Kolkata they posted gritty totals of 159 and 153, built on determination rather than fluency. Aiden Markram’s 31 in the first innings and stubborn contributions from Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton proved vital in stitching together just enough runs to stay competitive.
It was their bowling that won them the match. Marco Jansen used his height brilliantly to take 3/35 in the first innings and created problems throughout the game, while Simon Harmer produced a match defining performance with 4/30 in India’s first innings and 4/21 in the second for eight wickets overall. Keshav Maharaj supported him superbly, turning the ball sharply and drying up scoring options. With Mulder offering control and hostility at the other end, South Africa suddenly look like a team with a complete and balanced attack even in Indian conditions.
Match Prediction
The second Test feels far more open than most home Tests India play. They rarely lose back to back matches at home and the switch to Barsapara could bring a more balanced surface that allows batters to settle and play through the line. A truer pitch would benefit players like Rahul, Pant and Jadeja, all of whom are capable of producing the big first innings scores India generally rely on. There should also be a spark of energy with Pant captaining and the side responding to the criticism that followed the collapse in Kolkata.
South Africa however have already proven they can win here. Their spinners have outbowled India’s batters, their quicks have asked questions with the new ball, and their middle order has shown enough grit to hang in long enough for the bowlers to take control. If Harmer and Maharaj find even modest turn, India could again be under pressure.
The lean is still toward India to respond, adjust and level the series one all. Expect a significantly stronger batting effort from the hosts and a far tighter contest overall.
India to Win
$1.36 (5 Units)
Player Prop
Rishabh Pant 50+ Runs 1st Innings ($2.80 at Ladbrokes)
Rishabh Pant looks perfectly placed to pass 50 in the first innings of the second Test. He was one of the few Indian batters in Kolkata who looked comfortable against both pace and spin despite ultimately throwing it away in the 2nd innings. He now he steps into this match with the added responsibility of captaincy, something that historically sharpens his focus rather than distracts it. With Shubman Gill out and India needing stability through the middle, Pant is almost certain to get time at the crease rather than being rushed into a counterattacking role.
