India head to Guwahati needing a response after a surprising defeat in Kolkata. South Africa were dismissed for 159 in the first innings, and India led narrowly on 189, helped by a patient 39 from KL Rahul and useful runs from Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Jasprit Bumrah took 5/27, and with Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav he helped bowl South Africa out for 153 second time around, leaving a target of 124.
The chase fell apart. India were all out for 93, with Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj doing the damage and only Axar Patel, with 26, offering real resistance. It was India’s first Test defeat at Eden Gardens since 2012. Shubman Gill retired hurt on four in the first innings with a neck injury, missed the second innings and is out of this Test, so Rishabh Pant takes over as captain. Stability at the top of the order and a better plan against spin are the priorities.
South Africa arrive with confidence. Their totals of 159 and 153 in Kolkata were built on resilience, with Aiden Markram making 31 in the first innings and Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton all contributing stubborn runs. Marco Jansen took 3/35 in the first innings, and Harmer returned 4/30 and 4/21 for eight wickets in the match, with Maharaj turning the ball sharply at the other end. Together with Mulder, they look a well-rounded side even in Indian conditions.
