India vs South Africaa 2nd Test 2025: Can India level the series? Pant leads the charge after Gill’s injury. Get the full scorecard, match report, and latest cricket news at Sportzons.
South Africa 1st Innings Scorecard (launch break 12:1pm)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
| Aiden Markram | b Jasprit Bumrah | 38 | 81 | 5 | 0 |
| Ryan Rickelton | c Rishabh Pant b Kuldeep Yadav | 35 | 82 | 5 | 0 |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | Batting | 22* | 45 | 2 | 0 |
| Tristan Stubbs | Batting | 13* | 29 | 1 | 0 |
Total Score: 121/2 (approx. 40 Overs)
India Bowling Figures
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Jasprit Bumrah: 1 Wicket
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Kuldeep Yadav: 1 Wicket
IND vs SA 2nd Test: Pant Takes Charge as India Fights to Save Series in Guwahati
November 22, 2025 12:1pm | Guwahati
The stakes couldn’t be higher at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Trailing 0-1 in the series after a heartbreaking 30-run loss in Kolkata, Team India finds itself in a “do-or-die” situation against South Africa in the 2nd Test. With regular captain Shubman Gill ruled out due to a neck injury, the leadership mantle has fallen on the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who is tasked with preventing a historic home series defeat.
A New Era Captain Pant steps in
The morning began with significant team news. Shubman Gill, who sustained a neck injury during the first Test, was officially ruled out, handing Rishabh Pant the captaincy armband. This makes Pant India’s 38th Test captain—a massive responsibility in a series decider.
India made two strategic changes to their Playing XI. Debutant Sai Sudharsan replaced Gill to shore up the batting order, while all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy came in for Axar Patel, signaling India’s intent to balance pace and spin on a Guwahati surface known to assist batters initially before turning later.
Day 1 Report: Proteas Start Steady, India Strikes Back
South African skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first—a decision that looked dangerous for India in the first hour. The Proteas openers, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, negotiated the early swing of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj with caution.
The pitch seemed to offer value for shots, and Markram, in particular, looked ominous. He drove elegantly through the covers, racing to 38 off 81 balls. The opening pair stitched together a frustrating 80-run partnership, threatening to take the game away from India in the very first session.
However, the “Tea before Lunch” schedule—a unique adjustment made for this Test due to early sunsets in the Northeast—seemed to break the visitors’ concentration.
Bumrah & Kuldeep Turning the Tide
Just as South Africa looked set to dominate, India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah delivered the breakthrough. On the stroke of the first break, Bumrah produced a jagged delivery that breached Aiden Markram’s defense, bowling him for a well-made 38. It was the opening India desperately needed.
The momentum shifted further in the second session. Rishabh Pant introduced spin early, and Kuldeep Yadav justified the decision immediately. The wrist-spinner deceived Ryan Rickelton (35) with a flighted delivery that dipped and turned, inducing an edge straight into Captain Pant’s gloves.
From a comfortable 80/0, South Africa suddenly found themselves at 121/2, with the veteran Temba Bavuma and young Tristan Stubbs forced to rebuild against a energized Indian attack.
The “Guwahati Factor”
This Test match is historic for several reasons. Aside from being a series decider, it features a rare timing adjustment where the Tea break is taken before Lunch to maximize daylight. This quirk has added an interesting tactical layer to the game, forcing captains to manage bowler workloads differently.
For India, the strategy is clear: pick up wickets in clusters. The pitch is expected to deteriorate by Day 3, making the first innings score vital. If South Africa posts anything above 350, India’s inexperienced batting lineup—minus Gill—will be under immense pressure.
What Lies Ahead?
As play progresses into the afternoon, all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant’s tactical acumen. Can he rotate his bowlers effectively to dismiss the dangerous Bavuma? Or will South Africa grind India down to clinch their first series win on Indian soil in over two decades?
Stay tuned to Sportzons.com for ball-by-ball updates, expert analysis, and live scores as the drama unfolds in Guwahati.
Match Summary (12:1pm):
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South Africa: 121/2 (Batting: Bavuma 22*, Stubbs 13*)
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India Bowling: Bumrah (1 wkt), Kuldeep (1 wkt)
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Toss: South Africa (Opted to bat)
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Series: South Africa leads 1-0.
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India vs South Africaa 2nd Test 2025
