With the first day of this second test match between South Africa and India over, it’s clear that both sides have started pretty strongly, with the one currently batting having a slight edge. As the Proteas were able to score 247 runs for the loss of just 6 wickets, they stayed very composed during their innings and haven’t flustered too much.
A group that didn’t decide to play Kagiso Rabada or Lungi Ngidi once again, it’s a smart decision given the fact that Guwhati’s stadium can have unexpected turns in its first-ever test match played there. Captain Temba Bavuma continues helping his side build confidence and understand that effort is everything in order to be successful in these crucial matches.
For India, their bowling actually did a pretty decent job today and showed that this pitch could also offer some real help for pace. Having no Shubhman Gill in this series, they went for a different approach by implementing a left-handed pure batter in Sai Sudharsan, who could understand the controlled style of play.
Despite struggling last match, it’s quite shocking that India took 6 lefties again and took out Axar Patel for someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy, whose never really shown consistency. With Rishabh Pant leading the side, this could end up being his biggest test to prove if he is really worth all the hype built up, or if Gill will continue running this team when he comes back.
South Africa: Top-Order Built Some Amazing Duos To Lead This Side Towards A Fast Start
On the Proteas side, it’s pretty clear that their top four batsmen had a plan in place and really executed it to full potential. Openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton deserve a ton of credit because they had to face India’s top bowlers up-front, but still were able to control them for a while.
Seeing that Markram scored 38 runs, he was the first wicket lost after an 82-run partnership in which he scored five boundaries and was playing at a very classy pace. Someone whose built for this format, none of the swing really seemed to sway him, and his abilities from the right end really helped Rickleton get used to the surface after recent struggles.
Seeing that Rickleton had scored 35 runs on 82 balls, his ability to play at a similar pace as Markram was truly outstanding, and it took India over 26 overs to remove anyone. Once Markram had departed, Rickleton followed very soon, and it helped build another great duo between Temba Bavuma, plus Tristan Stubbs.
As Temba Bavuma has continued dominating in these conditions too, he was able to get his 2nd 40+ score of this series with 5 boundaries, while creating a massive 84-run partnership that helped the Proteas reach 164/3. Although this was another example of how when one batsmen falls, the other one in the partnership also struggles, it was clear that Tristan Stubbs had an even stronger performance after scoring 49 and hitting six combined boundaries.
South Africa: Middle-Order Really Helped Build Even More Prowess Towards The End
As many thought, this Proteas unit was done once their top four batsmen departed, it was not the case at all with them ending up reaching a pretty high total at the end. With Wiaan Mulder being the 5th wicket gone, he still helped the group get past the 200 mark and was looking solid in his 13-run innings, despite getting out on a beauty by Kuldeep Yadav.
Meanwhile, Tony De Zorzi and Senuran Muthuswamy became the story of the day at the end of today and were really able to attack India’s bowlers as well. First, going into De Zorzi, this is someone who has slowly developed into a full-time player for his nation and always finds a way to come up with runs, no matter who is playing.
Having a similar thought process to Temba Bavuma, although his approach is more aggressive, this is someone who will attack bowlers in many different ways. Scoring 28 runs on 59 balls, he also delivered a very strong six that helped this South Africa unit reach the 246 mark.
With Muthusamy on the other end, having scored 25 runs on 45 balls, he was very confident in his approach as well, and the two lefties created a 45-run combination. Although De Zorzi ended up getting out, Muthuswamy is still in for tomorrow and has already hit four boundaries, while Kyle Verryenne, one run, will be right across him to potentially make one of the bigger differences for this side.
India: Bowling Was Mostly Strong Despite Having Some Ups and Downs
For India, their bowling attack did a solid job for the most part, even though a few pieces had trouble being very consistent. Right-handed pacer Jasprit Bumrah was phenomenal as always with his 17.0 overs, just going for 38 runs, while also taking an early wicket. Someone who kept getting the perfect yorkers inside and not missing his line by too much, he made it almost impossible to get smacked for boundaries, while Mohammed Siraj was a bit more expensive from the other end.
Seeing that Siraj had 17.5 overs done in today’s play, he did give up 59 runs, but also had taken a masterful wicket of Tony De Zorzi to break the partnership.
Although Nitish Kumar Reddy really struggled to anything once again, India’s spin attack was the major storyline of today and made a huge difference. With left-handed star Kuldeep Yadav having three wickets to his name already, this is someone who got constant turn and was brilliant in 17.0 overs. Allowing just 48 runs, him, plus Ravindra Jadeja, 1/30 figures in 12.0 overs, had a really strong combination in the middle overs and ended up being the key reasons why South Africa couldn’t run away with this match. Closing it out, Washington Sundar was their right-handed pacer who did offer some prowess, but hasn’t broken through with a wicket yet.
What Is Anticipated on Day 2?
As Kyle Verreynne and Senuran Muthusamy will continue their wonderful start tommorow, it will be interesting to see how far they can take this unit. Seeing that Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj are still remaining in this order to produce runs, this Proteas unit will be aiming to get near a 300 total to have a huge lead.
For India, they will have to continue sticking to their plan of using a fast bowling and spin mix to their advantage and removing these South African batsmen quickly. With their opportunity to bat coming tomorrow, their new-look line-up will have an opportunity to show what they are truly made of in day two’s action.
Also Read: IND vs SA: South Africa Makes A Solid Start In Morning Session