India vs South Africa Prediction & Match Preview – 2nd Test, Guwahati
Match summary
Our preview of India vs South Africa in the second Test at Barsapara, Guwahati: Kolkata recap, Gill’s absence, likely XIs, pitch notes and our pick.
Match details
| Match | India vs South Africa, 2nd Test |
|---|---|
| Series | South Africa tour of India 2025 |
| Date | 22 Nov 2025 |
| Start time | 3:30 am GMT / 9:00 am local |
| Venue | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | India |
| Toss pick | South Africa |
Matches in this series
Match preview
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.
Barsapara in Guwahati is usually a well-balanced Test surface. Moisture on day one can help the seamers early, then the pitch settles into good batting conditions on days two and three with true bounce. By day four wear starts to show and the surface slows, which brings the spinners into the game, and the fifth day can be hard for stroke-makers as rough patches develop.
Morning conditions are expected to be warm and humid at around 9:00 am, with temperatures between 25 and 28°C. Skies should be clear to partly cloudy and the chance of rain is very low, so no early interruptions are anticipated.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 320–360 | – |
| Second innings | 300–340 | – |
India
India have the batting depth and the pace attack to level the series at home, provided their top order handles the South African spinners better than in Kolkata.
Toss pick: South Africa
FAQ
Who captains India in the Guwahati Test?
Rishabh Pant, because Shubman Gill has been ruled out with a neck injury picked up in Kolkata.
What happened in the first Test?
South Africa won in Kolkata after India were bowled out for 93 chasing 124, their first Test loss at Eden Gardens since 2012.
Which bowlers could matter most in Guwahati?
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj for India with the new ball, and Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj for South Africa once the pitch wears.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
India
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Washington Sundar
- Sai Sudharsan
- Dhruv Jurel
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel / Nitish Reddy
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
South Africa
- Ryan Rickelton
- Aiden Markram
- Wiaan Mulder
- Temba Bavuma
- Tony de Zorzi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne
- Marco Jansen
- Corbin Bosch / Lungi Ngidi
- Simon Harmer
- Keshav Maharaj