The stage is set for a high-stakes cricket showdown as India and South Africa gear up for the second and final Test of their series, beginning November 22, 2025, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. With South Africa holding a 1-0 lead after their historic 30-run victory in Kolkata, the pressure is firmly on the hosts to level the series and avoid a rare home defeat. For the visitors, the opportunity to clinch a Test series win on Indian soil for the first time in 25 years is tantalizingly close.
This Test marks a new chapter for Guwahati, as Barsapara Cricket Stadium hosts its maiden match in the longest format. The pitch, made of red soil with a light grass cover, promises a balanced contest—early assistance for the seamers, followed by increasing turn and bounce for the spinners from Day 3 onwards. The Indian team management, stung by the rapid deterioration of the Kolkata surface, specifically requested a pitch that offers pace, bounce, and spin, aiming for a fair fight that lasts all five days.
Both teams face significant selection challenges due to injuries to key players. For India, the absence of captain Shubman Gill, who retired hurt during the first innings in Kolkata and was subsequently ruled out, is a major blow. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant steps up as captain, eager to inspire a comeback. Pant, speaking to the press, shared, "I am proud to lead the team, but my focus is on contributing as a player to help us level the series." He hinted at a potential reshuffle at the top of the order, noting the need for a balanced left-right combination.
India's likely lineup features Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, with Sai Sudharsan expected to occupy the crucial number three spot. The middle order is bolstered by Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and potentially young Dhruv Jurel for added solidity. In the bowling department, the spin trio of Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will look to exploit the conditions as the match progresses, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj lead the pace attack. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also in contention, providing flexibility with both bat and ball.
On the South African side, celebrations from their first Test triumph have been tempered by the continued absence of star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, sidelined by a rib bone stress injury. Rabada, who missed the opener at Eden Gardens, has now been ruled out for the remainder of the tour—including the upcoming ODIs and T20s—as he embarks on a four-week rehabilitation program. Seamer Lungi Ngidi has been called up as cover and may feature in the playing XI, joining a bowling unit that already boasts spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, both of whom troubled India's batters in Kolkata. Marco Jansen’s left-arm pace and the all-round abilities of Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder round out a versatile attack.
South Africa’s batting will again depend on captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Ryan Rickelton. Bavuma, speaking ahead of the match, remarked on the unique challenge of the Guwahati surface: "The pitch has more grass than Kolkata, so it will play a bit differently. Batting well in the first innings is crucial, and we’re not here just to protect our lead—we want to play positive cricket and win the series."
Beyond the immediate contest, the series has reignited a broader debate within the cricketing world about the shrinking length of Test series. South Africa, reigning world Test champions, have not played a three-Test series since their 2022-23 tour of Australia. The rise of lucrative white-ball leagues and a packed international calendar have led to a proliferation of two-match series, much to the frustration of players and fans alike. Bavuma voiced these concerns candidly: "Players are well involved when it comes to mapping our schedule. Every player that has had the opportunity to interact with the media has voiced their frustration."
He added, "It would be nice for a three-four match series against a formidable team like India. It's just good for the fans, really, when people get to see good cricket, one team dominating, another team dominating, but there is also an opportunity for one team to come out as victors." Bavuma even admitted to a tinge of envy while watching the Ashes, a five-Test spectacle that remains the preserve of cricket’s so-called Big Three. "We watched with a bit of jealousy, knowing that the five Tests, they'll be going at each other. Hopefully, not too far in the future, we'll go back to playing four Tests against India, whether here in India or back home in South Africa."
The lack of a decider in this series means that the outcome in Guwahati carries even greater weight. If India wins, the series ends in a draw, leaving both teams to ponder what might have been in a longer contest. Should South Africa prevail or even secure a draw, they will celebrate a rare and significant achievement—winning a Test series in India, something achieved by only one visiting team in the past 12 years.
As for the pitch, early indications suggest that fast bowlers will be in the game during the initial sessions, thanks to the fresh grass and underlying moisture. However, as the surface wears, expect the spinners to come into their own, especially from Day 3 onwards. The Barsapara pitch has drawn comparisons to the Ahmedabad track, though with less grass and potentially more even bounce. Both captains have acknowledged the importance of adapting quickly to these conditions, with the toss likely to play a pivotal role. The prevailing wisdom is that the team batting first will have the upper hand, with predicted first-innings scores in the range of 345-355 for India or 300 for South Africa, depending on who wins the toss.
The squads are brimming with talent and intrigue. For India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (captain and wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, and Akash Deep. For South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Zubayr Hamza, Senuran Muthusamy, and Dewald Brevis.
With the series, pride, and a slice of history on the line, both teams are primed for a fierce contest. The action begins at 09:00 am IST (3:30 am GMT) on November 22, and with so much at stake, expect no shortage of drama. As the cricketing world tunes in, all eyes will be on Guwahati to see whether India can mount a comeback or if South Africa will etch their names into the record books with a landmark series win. The next five days promise a riveting battle between bat and ball, youth and experience, and ambition and legacy.
Whatever the result, this Test will be remembered as a milestone—both for the venue and for the evolving narrative of modern Test cricket. The anticipation is palpable, and as the first ball is bowled, the quest for supremacy enters its final, decisive chapter.
