India Under Pressure as South Africa Eye Historic Series Win

India and South Africa head into today’s Test which starts this morning in Guwahati with the series finely balanced and the hosts under mounting pressure after their defeat in Kolkata left them unable to claim the Freedom Trophy.

India can now only draw the two-match series, while South Africa have a rare chance to secure an away series win after years of dominance by the home side.

Both teams arrive with significant selection headaches. India have lost captain Shubman Gill to a neck injury, after he faced only three balls in the first Test, forcing keeper Rishabh Pant to take charge in what will be his fourth Test as captain in twelve months.

The hosts may also adjust their balance after their six left-handed batters struggled against the offspin of Simon Harmer, whose match-winning eight-wicket haul combined played a vital role in South Africa’s first Test win in India in fifteen years.

The visitors remain without Kagiso Rabada, but they will be confident that Harmer, in partnership with slow left-armer, Keshav Maharaj, can again deliver the goods.

All eyes now turn to the Guwahati surface as the venue prepares to host its first-ever Test. Confusion over the preparation of the pitch, including contradictory messages from India’s coaching staff, has added intrigue to a match that already carries high stakes. Both captains predict a batting-friendly opening day before the pitch begins to turn, yet similar assurances were given in Kolkata where conditions ultimately worked against India.