India v South Africa 2025 | 2nd Test | Guwahati | November 22-26 | Match Discussion

[The Bald Eagle]

India, looking to bounce back from their surprise loss in the opening Test, will fight to keep the series alive when they face South Africa in the decisive second and final match. The contest is set to begin on November 22 at 9:00 a.m.

Led by Temba Bavuma, South Africa delivered a stunning performance to secure a 30-run victory against India, defending a modest target of 124 by bowling the hosts out for just 93.

Play begins earlier than usual, with a 9:00 AM IST start and the toss scheduled for 8:30 AM IST. All eyes will also be on Shubman Gill’s fitness after his neck injury forced him out mid-innings in the first Test.

Squads:

India: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne.

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[gazza619]

Expecting SA to wrap up the series by a big win here. India’s downhill journey has started. Even Bumrah’s big chucks won’t save the day.

 

[sweep_shot]

Hoping for a big South African victory.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Indian tail partnership is a complete no show in the year 2025. Indian 8,9,10th wicket partnership is the second worst. South Africa's 8,9,10th wicket partnership is the second best.

 

[Devadwal]

Expecting SA to wrap up the series by a big win here. India’s downhill journey has started. Even Bumrah’s big chucks won’t save the day.

Clueless Posters like said same thing after 36 all out but after a week india win all time greatest test series in Australia with second string team where some team can't even draw a single test forget about win since 30+ year's

India will bounce back with style so don't worry about india.

 

[sweep_shot]

Clueless Posters like said same thing after 36 all out but after a week india win all time greatest test series in Australia with second string team where some team can't even draw a single test forget about win since 30+ year's

India will bounce back with style so don't worry about india.

Difference is India were a better team then. They have declined now.

You should stay in the present.

 

[gazza619]

Clueless Posters like said same thing after 36 all out but after a week india win all time greatest test series in Australia with second string team where some team can't even draw a single test forget about win since 30+ year's

India will bounce back with style so don't worry about india.

Well India can certainly bounce back, Chances are grim though. India might need one more chucker as their batting sucks

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

No Rabada for South Africa again. Such a shame. This was supposed to be the tour where he should have improved his record in India.

 

[Devadwal]

Difference is India were a better team then. They have declined now.

You should stay in the present.

Yes just a series ago we drawn 2-2 away from home against England. How can forget that ?

 

[Devadwal]

No Rabada for South Africa again. Such a shame. This was supposed to be the tour where he should have improved his record in India.

Bumrah has given Pakistan sleepless nights. After all he is better bowler than all Pakistani pacers throughout the history . Ab jalan to hogi but uske alawa kuch ni kar sakte

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Bumrah has given Pakistan sleepless nights. After all he is better bowler than all Pakistani pacers throughout the history . Ab jalan to hogi but uske alawa kuch ni kar sakte

Lagta hai pichlay Test match ka dard abhi tak gaya nahi hai.

I mean, why else would you be bringing Pakistani pacers into a thread about India v South Africa where I was talking about Rabada?

 

[Devadwal]

Lagta hai pichlay Test match ka dard abhi tak gaya nahi hai.

I mean, why else would you be bringing Pakistani pacers into a thread about India v South Africa where I was talking about Rabada?

Because if someone talk about downfall of Indian cricket first remembered own Minnow team performance. Badi badi bate karne se phle mirrow to dekh liya karo. Minnows team ke fan hoke attitude ase dikhare jase india ko Asia cup m 3-0 se haraya ho.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Because if someone talk about downfall of Indian cricket first remembered own Minnow team performance. Badi badi bate karne se phle mirrow to dekh liya karo. Minnows team ke fan hoke attitude ase dikhare jase india ko Asia cup m 3-0 se haraya ho.

Are you okay in the head? I said that it's a shame that Rabada is missing this series because he is a champion bowler who would have liked bowling on a pitch like Kolkata. India is one of the few places where he hasn't done well historically. so this was a good opportunity to do well on a bowling-friendly pitch, against an Indian side that is still in the rebuilding phase.

Out of that ^ you went to: "Bumrah is better than all Pakistani fast-bowlers".

Which actually just speaks to your deepest insecurities.

 

[Devadwal]

Are you okay in the head? I said that it's a shame that Rabada is missing this series because he is a champion bowler who would have liked bowling on a pitch like Kolkata. India is one of the few places where he hasn't done well historically. so this was a good opportunity to do well on a bowling-friendly pitch, against an Indian side that is still in the rebuilding phase.

Out of that ^ you went to: "Bumrah is better than all Pakistani fast-bowlers".

Which actually just speaks to your deepest insecurities.

I was replying to @gazza619 pots. By chance I quote you. Lol. He brings Bumrah action so I was just showing him mirrow.

Well India can certainly bounce back, Chances are grim though. India might need one more chucker as their batting sucks

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Will Shabnam Gill play?

 

[TheSultan]

How does anyone even have the appetite to watch this after that awesome day in the ashes?!

Another snooze spin-fest no doubt. So boring.

Pace and more pace in the ashes.

I don’t feel like watching another match hosted in the subcontinent.

Zzzzzz

 

[Devadwal]

Why they ignored Sarfaraz khan ? They are going to play another allrounder ( Reddy) In place of Gill .lol

 

[Devadwal]

How does anyone even have the appetite to watch this after that awesome day in the ashes?!

Another snooze spin-fest no doubt. So boring.

Pace and more pace in the ashes.

I don’t feel like watching another match hosted in the subcontinent.

Zzzzzz

Opening day of Ashes test was one the all time low quality cricket I have seen . Let's see if they can manage to do well today.

It was like Zimbabwe - Afghanistan are playing a test where 19 wickets falls .

 

[Hitman]

Will Shabnam Gill play?

No!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I was replying to @gazza619 pots. By chance I quote you. Lol. He brings Bumrah action so I was just showing him mirrow.

Next time do yourself a favor:

Read with your eyes open

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Next time do yourself a favor:

Read with your eyes open

Are you saying this to a Junior Trackman?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Are you saying this to a Junior Trackman?

Bro replied to two separate posts of mine and says he replied to me "by mistake"

 

[jnaveen1980]

How does anyone even have the appetite to watch this after that awesome day in the ashes?!

Another snooze spin-fest no doubt. So boring.

Pace and more pace in the ashes.

I don’t feel like watching another match hosted in the subcontinent.

Zzzzzz

Ya.. it is fascinating to see the masterclass from Usmah wasteja, labsucaghne, ugly dance cum batting from steve smith

 

[jnaveen1980]

Now that i see there is not a single attractive batsman in this Australian line up. They had guys like Mark waugh, Michale clarke in their line up. Look at this line up. Pretty pathetic. Atleast ENgland has a couple like Crawley, Jamie Smith. Root

 

[sweep_shot]

Yes just a series ago we drawn 2-2 away from home against England. How can forget that ?

Maybe you forgot India lost 0-3 to NZ and 1-3 to Australia recently.

India's last 16 Tests: 2 draws, 9 defeats, 5 wins.


Out of those 5 wins, 2 came against minnow Windies.

India are definitely declining in Test which is lovely to see.

Hopefully Saffers will beat India again.

 

[Devadwal]

Maybe you forgot India lost 0-3 to NZ and 1-3 to Australia recently.

India's last 16 Tests: 2 draws, 9 defeats, 5 wins.


Out of those 5 wins, 2 came against minnow Windies.

India are definitely declining in Test which is lovely to see.

Hopefully Saffers will beat India again.

India last 2 month SENA test win = 2

This is still more than kanglu entire history test win in SENA nations.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australia is under the mercy of England. Vaughan's incessant chest thumping is sure going to get on the nerves of Aussie fans.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pitch has eased out. Lyon was able to get behind the ball reasonably comfortably. England will pound htem into submission.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Would be crazy but not unexpected if GG plays NTR for injured Gill.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Would be crazy but not unexpected if GG plays NTR for injured Gill.

Gambhir has been treating test team like T20 team.

 

[BreadPakoda]

I meant NKR. If he plays, India will be fielding only 2 pure batsmen. Jaiswal and Rahul.

 

[BreadPakoda]

India have lost 25 of their last 31 tosses, including a 15 loss streak. Let’s see how it goes today. My money is on number 26

 

[jnaveen1980]

It is getting ridiculous that we keep losing tosses.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Yep. Lost the toss again.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I meant NKR. If he plays, India will be fielding only 2 pure batsmen. Jaiswal and Rahul.

NKR It is. I am sick of Gambhir. Sai in place of GIll. NKR in place of Axar. NKR is even more worthless in INdian conditions. We have batsmen scoring 200, 300 in Indian conditions. He left everyone and picked REddy who averages 20 in first class.

 

[BreadPakoda]

NKR It is. I am sick of Gambhir. Sai in place of GIll. NKR in place of Axar. NKR is even more worthless in INdian conditions. We have batsmen scoring 200, 300 in Indian conditions. He left everyone and picked REddy who averages 20 in first class.

I saw him bat in England across 2 test matches. Sometimes watching live in stadium tells you more about a player vs. watching on TV. He isn’t international quality.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I saw him bat in England across 2 test matches. Sometimes watching live in stadium tells you more about a player vs. watching on TV. He isn’t international quality.

JUst when you think Gambhir can't get any worse he has managed to make the team weaker than the last team.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Hands down the worst TEst coach in the history of the game. Nobody would build a team like this. LIterally there is no batsman.

 

[Ab Fan]

Advantage South Africa as they won the toss again. 1-0 ahead, ball is on their court.

 

[BouncerGuy]

INDIA losing yet another toss.. How unlucky they are TBH

Saffers need to bat well here

 

[jnaveen1980]

I am done with INdian test cricket until GG leaves.

 

[jnaveen1980]

KL Rahul puts down a dolly. Markram survives. UNlucky Bumrah

 

[Devadwal]

South Africa 129/2 . They are in good position

 

[BouncerGuy]

Temba going fine... STubbs really needs a big score here.. He has been poor in red ball so far

 

[tiger_khan]

Why can't India build stadiums as beautiful as in Australia and England?

The board is rich but either lacks the imagination or only interested in packing as many people in the stadium as possible

Some of the Indian stadiums can be fairly called ugly

 

[tiger_khan]

I think SA have misread the pitch

Should have not dropped a fast bowler

Bosch could have been handy in the first innings, on this pitch


Playing three spinners on this pitch might haunt SA, later on in this game

 

[Devadwal]

Excellent pitch unlike doctored pitch in australia

 

[RamLakhan]

How does anyone even have the appetite to watch this after that awesome day in the ashes?!

Another snooze spin-fest no doubt. So boring.

Pace and more pace in the ashes.

I don’t feel like watching another match hosted in the subcontinent.

Zzzzzz

Eden Gardens 2001 and Gabba 2021 are the examples of proper pitches & matches... Though the pitches had spin & pace, still if a batsman applied themselves, they could survive and score big! That is how Test Matches should be, not going to either extremes... Not just the pitches to be blamed, but also the application of batsmen & selection policies in the management...

 

[RamLakhan]

If South Africa apply themselves, they can win this match and series... Since it is a short series, its a whitewash too... India should rethink their strategies in tests, this LOI like appoach (using alrounders instead of specialists) won't work in tests... India probably needs a different coach in tests (just like different captain).

 

[RamLakhan]

Why can't India build stadiums as beautiful as in Australia and England?

The board is rich but either lacks the imagination or only interested in packing as many people in the stadium as possible

Some of the Indian stadiums can be fairly called ugly

Way too many venues, it is politically driven. Money should go to all states and local boards... If India had stuck to max. 6 venues (like England, Australia), they can also come up with standard stadiums and pitches...

 

[Ab Fan]

South Africa might well win the home series here.

 

[gazza619]

Desperately need a big chuck from Bumrah, otherwise innings defeat is loading.

 

[tiger_khan]

I thought Jadeja was better than Kumble

How come he is not getting any wickets?

Two sessions have already been bowled


Not that great of a bowler when the pitch is not assisting the spinners?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Why can't India build stadiums as beautiful as in Australia and England?

The board is rich but either lacks the imagination or only interested in packing as many people in the stadium as possible

Some of the Indian stadiums can be fairly called ugly

Even their smallest stadiums look clean and beautiful, while ours look like Ramleela grounds where people are practically standing on each other's heads.

 

[tiger_khan]

jadeja finally gets a wicket

 

[Devadwal]

Soke fightback by India still South Africa are well ahead at this point.

225/5. India needs another wicket before EOD

 

[jnaveen1980]

I think SA have misread the pitch

Should have not dropped a fast bowler

Bosch could have been handy in the first innings, on this pitch


Playing three spinners on this pitch might haunt SA, later on in this game

No they got the team spot on. Red soil pitch won't deteriorate on day 1. It will take a couple of days.

 

[MenInG]

India’s bowlers staged a spirited fightback on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, reducing the visitors to 247 for six at stumps. After a steady start from the Proteas, Ravindra Jadeja struck in the final session by removing captain Temba Bavuma for 41, caught at mid-off by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kuldeep Yadav then seized control, dismissing Tristan Stubbs for 49 and Wiaan Mulder for 13 in quick succession, finishing with figures of 3 for 48. Mohammed Siraj added further pressure late in the day, claiming Tony de Zorzi for 28 with Rishabh Pant taking a sharp catch behind the stumps. By close of play, Senuran Muthusamy remained unbeaten on 25 alongside Kyle Verreynne on one, leaving South Africa with work to do after losing four wickets in the final session. The momentum swung firmly in India’s favour, setting up a compelling contest for the remainder of the match.

 

[Devadwal]

This is exactly the type of wicket India should produce when playing at home. Difference in spin skillset gives upper hand. It also allows young batters to grow in confidence before they settle in test cricket. All past legends could became one only because they played on tracks like this.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This feels more like a classical Indian pitch. Similar to the Ahmedabad pitch against Windies. Largely flat but likely to deteriorate as the match progresses. On pitches like these you need skillful spinners to get you wickets. And that's the biggest edge that India has over touring teams.

 

[jnaveen1980]

WTC has done one bad thing. Teams want to protect their home poinst. So they go to extreme to prepare pitches and it backfires.

 

[Ab Fan]

India need to take a 100 run lead in 1st inning to really win the match. They bowled well today and would be happy to put SA 6 down but can’t afford a lower order resurgence tomorrow first session. Bowl them out under 325 and score 450.

 

[Ab Fan]

India should play regularly on these kind of pitches. Occasionally put up a pitch that has a bit more for bowler starting Day 1.

2024 India vs England home series had phenomenal pitches and enough for everyone to stay interested. The NZ series had good pitches too( slightly on bowling friendly but not bad). Having said that, there is an obvious weakness with Indian batsmen not able to tackle spin when it is turning a lot and can’t chase 125-150 total in 4th innings. That needs to be addressed.

 

[AZulfi]

I think the game is in the balance. South Africa will ideally want 350+/-. Anything less than that will be advantage India. A first innings lead, however small, is vital for India since they will be batting last in this test.

 

[jnaveen1980]

INdian batting is uber lite. Jaiswal, Rahul, Pant. That's pretty much it.

 

[Justcrazy]

India will be happier of the two sides. But this will depend on how India bat , India are playing loads of all rounders.

 

[CricVet]

Kuldeep Yadav Vs Simon Harmer. Let's see who wins. Even though I may lose, I will always bet on higher South African cricket IQ. Their tail might hang around to score 300+. Even IF SA lose in the first innings, they should be able to win the match.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Why not much activity in this thread, seems like India hasn't done well yet or may be some people's goat is yet to take a fifer while hunting on tail enders

 

[sweep_shot]

Why not much activity in this thread, seems like India hasn't done well yet or may be some people's goat is yet to take a fifer while hunting on tail enders

LOL. Yeah. Good observation.

They seem more busy on the Ashes thread than here.

Things haven't been great for them in Test format lately. 9 defeats in the last 16 Tests.

 

[sweep_shot]

Day 2 has started.

SA - 253/6 (83.5 overs).

 

[Ab Fan]

Bumrah hardly leaks runs. That’s another great attribute to have given he has wide range of skills with the bowl and is a wicket taker.

 

[sweep_shot]

So far so good for South Africa.

Need to bat for 2 more sessions ideally.

 

[Ab Fan]

Kuldeep Yadav Vs Simon Harmer. Let's see who wins. Even though I may lose, I will always bet on higher South African cricket IQ. Their tail might hang around to score 300+. Even IF SA lose in the first innings, they should be able to win the match.

1st inning - Kuldeep vs Harmer
2nd inning - Jadeja vs Harmer

 

[jnaveen1980]

Bumrah hardly leaks runs. That’s another great attribute to have given he has wide range of skills with the bowl and is a wicket taker.

I think after a while he is hitting the length consistently. Last couple of months he was straying down too much. Even in this fmatch first few overs he was erratic. This is the first time i see the BGT Bumrah after a long time.

 

[sweep_shot]

Bumrah hardly leaks runs. That’s another great attribute to have given he has wide range of skills with the bowl and is a wicket taker.

I think after a while he is hitting the length consistently. Last couple of months he was straying down too much. Even in this fmatch first few overs he was erratic. This is the first time i see the BGT Bumrah after a long time.

Bumrah has been a terrible bowler since the England series.

It's all about taking wickets. Bumrah failed to do that lately as the premium bowler.

 

[Ab Fan]

Bumrah has been a terrible bowler since the England series.

It's all about taking wickets. Bumrah failed to do that lately as the premium bowler.

Picked 3 5-fers in 6 tests.

 

[sweep_shot]

Bumrah has been a terrible bowler since the England series.

It's all about taking wickets. Bumrah failed to do that lately as the premium bowler.

Also, we may never know whether Bumrah is chucking or not. ICC doesn't have the gut to test him.

Can Bumrah do well without hyperextension/chucking? Probably not.

This is why Siraj and Shami are better bowlers than Bumrah because they don't need hyperextensions to do well.

 

[Justcrazy]

Indian bowlers bowling well here not giving anything away

 

[sweep_shot]

SA - 259/6 (89 overs).

 

[jnaveen1980]

Indian bowlers bowling well here not giving anything away

Dale steyn is talking about Stubbs telling him scoring was a little harder for him but defending was easier.