 "Rishabh Pant will lead the side in the absence of Shubman Gill. Image: AFP")
With Shubman Gill ruled out of the series due to a neck injury, Rishabh Pant will lead India in the second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati, starting November 22. South Africa is already 1-0 up in the two-match contest after winning the first Test, so India will be under pressure to level things.
All eyes will again be on the pitch, especially after the Kolkata Test ended in just three days. South Africa defeated India by 30 runs to win their first Test match on Indian soil after 15 years, as the hosts’ plan to trap them in a spin web failed. This is the first-ever Test match in Guwahati, so the surface remains a mystery.
Reports suggest that a red-soil surface will be used , which should offer help to pacers early on. The first two days are likely to favour fast bowlers, before spinners gradually come into the game. Batters should also find opportunities to score, but it will be interesting to see how the pitch eventually behaves in Guwahati.
When and where will the second Test between India and South Africa take place?
The second Test between India and South Africa will take place at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium from November 22 to 26.
What time will play start in the second India vs South Africa Test?
The match schedule has been tweaked slightly to avoid losing overs in Guwahati. Play will begin at 9:00 AM IST instead of the usual 9:30 AM, with stumps scheduled at 4:00 PM IST.
The first session will be played from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, then players will take a tea break till 11:20 AM. The second session will run from 11:20 am to 1:20 pm, after which there will be a lunch break till 2:00 PM. The last session of the day will be played from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Where to watch the second Test between India and South Africa?
The first Test between India and South Africa will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network, and will also be streamed live on the JioStar app and website.
India vs South Africa: Full squads
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal, Akash Deep
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Zubayr Hamza, Wiaan Mulder