नवीनतम
2nd Test: India must win as SA eye historic 2-0 sweep
GUWAHATI [Maha Media]: Guwahati, a city that’s never hosted a Test before, steps into the limelight tomorrow with the kind of drama only Test cricket can deliver. India, fresh from a shock defeat in Kolkata, find themselves trailing 0-1 in this short two-match series.
South Africa, on the other hand, walk in with the confident swagger of a team that knows it can make history. A 2-0 sweep on Indian soil is within reach, and believe me, they can taste it.
The toss, as always, could be everything. Batting first on this new wicket seems the safer option; the pitch is expected to offer inconsistent bounce and plenty of turn from the get-go. India will send out Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, hoping they can weather the new-ball storm and see off the first few tricky overs.
Keep an eye on Rishabh Pant, if he gets in early, the whole complexion of the innings changes. He can swing the momentum with those audacious strokes or steady it with grit, depending on the need of the hour.
Barsapara is a spinner’s paradise waiting to happen. Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel will be crucial. Last time, the Proteas’ batsmen handled the turn better than India, so expect the spinners to attack from the start.
South Africa’s response will rely heavily on Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Ryan Rickelton to steady the innings, while the middle order—Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne—will frustrate whenever India think they’ve gained an upper hand.
Test cricket is a mental game as much as a physical one. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj have the new-ball firepower to make early inroads, and if they strike, India can wrestle back control. But watch the Proteas’ bowlers: Simon Harmer and Marco Jansen were magic in Kolkata, and even with minor niggles, their replacements aren’t pushovers. Every session will have moments where momentum swings like a pendulum. One good spell, one clever partnership, and suddenly the scoreboard tells a very different story.
This wicket will deteriorate fast. Batting last will be a nightmare. Any team posting 250 in the first innings will be in a commanding position. Toss and timing of the innings will play a massive role. India cannot afford another collapse like Kolkata; otherwise, South Africa’s sweep becomes a real possibility. Conversely, a steady, patient start and smart partnerships can set up a classic comeback story for India.
So, what can we expect? Drama, tension, brilliant individual performances, and momentum that swings every session. India must respond with controlled aggression and composure, while South Africa will try to maintain the relentless pressure they started in Kolkata.
India need to seize control early, bat with patience, and let the spinners do the talking. South Africa, with their balance and confidence, will look to exploit any lapse. Guwahati is about to witness five days of tense, fascinating, and unpredictable Test cricket, the kind that is deliciously difficult for both bat and ball.
