India head into the second Test against South Africa aiming to recover after an unexpected setback in the opening match. Temba Bavuma’s team pulled off a stunning upset to take a 1-0 lead, and now the action moves to Guwahati. India must produce a strong response to avoid a rare series defeat at home. A win for the hosts will level the contest 1-1, while another South African victory will seal a historic 2-0 clean sweep on Indian soil for only the second time.

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Recent Performance

India: L, W, W, W, L
South Africa: W, W, L, W, W

Head-to-Head (Last 3 Matches)

India Wins: 1
South Africa Wins: 2
No Result: 0

In the most recent clash, India were bowled out for 93 while chasing 124, giving South Africa a 30-run victory on 14 Nov 2025.

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Teams Preview

India Preview

India enter the second Test under major pressure after suffering an unexpected collapse in Kolkata. On a turning track where both teams struggled, chasing 124 should have been manageable — but India folded for just 93, raising serious concerns about their ability to handle pressure moments.

Their problems grew when Shubman Gill was ruled out due to injury, opening the door for Nitish Kumar Reddy to join the XI. The team now looks to Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to provide stability at the top. Both have handled challenging conditions well over the past year and must replicate that form here.

Rishabh Pant becomes even more crucial with Gill unavailable. Pant is the one batter who can shift momentum by surviving the initial tricky phase. If he settles in, India often dominate key sessions.

Dhruv Jurel’s temperament will help, while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar add experience and balance in the middle order.

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj remain India’s spearheads. Bumrah was exceptional in the previous Test, collecting a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Kuldeep Yadav, Jadeja, and Axar Patel also have important roles to play, especially after being outperformed by South Africa’s spinners.

India Predicted Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav / Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

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South Africa Preview

South Africa arrive in Guwahati full of confidence after producing an excellent performance in the opening Test. On a wicket that offered sharp turn and inconsistent bounce, their bowlers made full use of the conditions and defended a small target to seal a memorable 30-run win. The victory ensures that the World Test Champions cannot lose the series.

Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton will look to control the early tempo by mixing patience with controlled aggression. The middle order features reliable contributors like Wiaan Mulder and captain Temba Bavuma, who played a match-defining innings of 55 in the first Test. His form will again be vital, and another fifty from him looks likely.

South Africa’s depth extends through Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, and Corbin Bosch, all capable of steadying the innings or accelerating when needed.

Their bowling attack was the standout in Kolkata. Simon Harmer and Marco Jansen claimed thirteen wickets between them, breaking India’s rhythm repeatedly. Harmer’s eight-wicket performance makes him a major threat again. Keshav Maharaj and Bosch add further variety and control in different conditions.

However, both Jansen and Harmer are reportedly carrying injury concerns and may miss the match. If so, Senuran Muthusamy and Lungi Ngidi are likely replacements.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen / Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer / Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj

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Pitch and Weather Conditions

Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati will be hosting its first-ever Test match, so the surface is something of an unknown. However, given what we saw in the first Test, another pitch with inconsistent bounce and plenty of early turn seems likely. Batting will not be easy, and players will need strong technique and patience to survive. Spinners should dictate the game from start to finish, though seamers can also strike thanks to natural deviations off the surface.

The weather in Guwahati is expected to remain clear and pleasant throughout the Test, with minimal chances of rain.

IND vs RSA Pitch Report – Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati

The opening session will be critical. Teams batting first must try to post a score above 250, as anything below that could be risky on a surface that is expected to deteriorate. Batting in the fourth innings will be extremely difficult.

Toss Prediction: To Bat

Teams batting first generally enjoy a significant advantage in India, especially on turning tracks. Expect both captains to choose to bat first.

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Winning Prediction

India find themselves under pressure heading into the second Test, trailing 0-1 and struggling for consistency on home soil. South Africa will stick to a method that worked perfectly in the first Test — disciplined bowling, controlled batting, and applying pressure throughout.

Their lineup has the form and confidence to win again, and they will believe they can secure a 2-0 sweep. However, India rarely lose back-to-back Tests at home, and with the series on the line, a strong response is expected.

This match could swing session by session, but we’re backing India to level the series 1-1. The toss will play a big role, as batting last is extremely tough on these surfaces.

Prediction: India to win the 2nd Test.