On Saturday, November 22, India will face South Africa in the second Test at Guwahati’s Baraspara Cricket Stadium. The stadium will be the 30th in India to host a Test match, a landmark milestone for regional cricket. South Africa led the two-match Test series 1-0 going into the match, putting further pressure on the hosts to mount a great comeback.
Rishabh Pant captained India for the first time on this momentous occasion, taking over as captain in the absence of Shubman Gill.
Gill was urged to rest after having neck cramps, triggering a leadership shift. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma and Pant signed a commemorative portrait of the ACA Stadium prior to the game. Devajit Saikia, the BCCI Secretary, attended the ceremony and handed both captains with a gold-plated memorial coin for the toss, commemorating the momentous debut Test in Guwahati.
A moment to cherish! 🙌
BCCI Honorary Secretary Mr. Devajit Saikia presents the two captains with Memorial gold-plated toss coins to mark the inaugural Test in Guwahati! 👏
Rishabh Pant and Temba Bavuma also signed a special ACA Stadium portrait to honour the occasion.
Updates… pic.twitter.com/mPLFMxi1Yo
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 22, 2025
Speaking about the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. India introduced Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sai Sudharsan into their playing XI as part of a reshuffled line-up designed to revive their chances in the series. The visitors made one change of their own, bringing in Senuran Muthusamy in place of Corbin Bosch. South Africa had earlier secured a 30-run victory in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
In that match, South Africa managed 159 runs in their opening innings, with Jasprit Bumrah delivering a superb spell of 5 for 27. India replied with 189, thanks in part to Simon Harmer’s impressive 4 for 30. South Africa then posted 153 in their second innings, led by Bavuma’s resilient unbeaten 55. However, the hosts faltered and were dismissed for just 93, with Harmer once again starring with figures of 4 for 21.
With a revamped combination, India will now look to regroup and level the series. In the World Test Championship (2025–27) standings, India currently sit fourth with four wins from eight matches, while the sitting champions hold second place with two victories from three games.
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