India are staring at yet another home series defeat in Tests this year. After being whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand earlier, India are 0-1 down in the two-Test series against South Africa. The hosts lost the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in shocking fashion, being bowled out for 93 while chasing 124.
To add to their woes, skipper and batting mainstay Shubman Gill would not be playing in second Test in Guwahati because of a neck injury. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to replace him as the captain.
India have a selection dilemma, too. Having gone in with four spinners – Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar – on a turning pitch and still ending up as a losing side, has hurt India. Interestingly, Proteas off-spinner Simon Harmer reaped the benefits of the turner, picking up eight wickets in the match. Will India drop a spinner in favour of a regular pacer like Akash Deep, or will they bring in pace all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, too, to strengthen the pace attack? A lot will depend on the nature of the pitch and conditions in Guwahati.
What’s the pitch like at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati?
The India-South Africa second Test will be the first one to be held at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. So, there is no historical data on the nature of the pitch there.
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However, reports suggest that the Indian team, post the Kolkata defeat, has steered clear of a rank turner and, instead, asked for a pitch that offers good pace and bounce.
The Guwahati pitch, reportedly, is made of red soil, and so, it should typically offer more pace, bounce, and carry for the fast bowlers, unlike the black soil pitch used in Kolkata.
Spin might become a factor from the third and fourth day onwards.
What’s the weather forecast in Guwahati on November 22?
The weather forecast for the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa seems ideal for cricket.
It is expected to be sunny, with clear skies, with the highest temperature likely to be around 26 degrees Celsius and lowest 16 degrees Celsius.
The chance of rainfall is low – only around 15 per cent.
