On a surface expected to offer little help to bowlers, India scrapped hard and finished Day One slightly ahead as South Africa reached 247/6 in the second Test in Guwahati. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav led the charge with a sharp 3-48, ensuring the Proteas never ran away with the game before bad light ended play early.
Despite winning the toss on a good red-soil batting track, South Africa failed to convert their many starts. All top-order batters got in; none reached fifty.
Stubbs Admits South Africa Missed Their Chance
Tristan Stubbs, who top-scored with 49, said the team let slip an opportunity to dominate.
A bit disappointing… all of us in the top six got in and no one made the big one. The pitch played nicely, but scoring wasn’t easy. India bowled really well.
Stubbs added that he prefers batting at No. 3 but felt India’s discipline stifled the run-rate throughout the day.
India Strike Back Through Jadeja and Kuldeep
Post lunch, Ravindra Jadeja triggered the fightback by removing Temba Bavuma for 41. Bavuma’s steady 84-run stand with Stubbs ended when he miscued a lofted drive to mid-off.
India could have struck earlier, but substitute Devdutt Padikkal missed a direct chance at square leg. Still, they kept the pressure on, and Kuldeep eventually found reward. His extra bounce and drift trapped Stubbs into a defensive push that flew to KL Rahul at first slip.
Just when the game was slipping away… they got important breakthroughs. First-innings runs will be crucial.
Kuldeep’s Craft Exposes Inexperience
On a surface offering little turn, Kuldeep created opportunities with flight and deception. He dismissed Wiaan Mulder with a tempting tossed-up delivery, which dipped enough to force a mis-hit to mid-off. For a brief stretch, Tony de Zorzi and Senuran Muthusamy counter-attacked with seven boundaries, but India stayed disciplined.
I can’t believe he got me out and KL caught it! He just beat me with the drift.
Siraj Strikes Late to Seal India’s Day
The final and arguably biggest moment came with the second new ball. Mohammed Siraj, with the very first delivery of his spell, removed de Zorzi for a well-made 39. Rishabh Pant completed a spectacular diving catch to his left, giving India a crucial late breakthrough and a psychological edge heading into Day Two.
Brief Scores: South Africa: 247/6 in 81.5 overs (Tristan Stubbs 49, Temba Bavuma 41; Kuldeep Yadav 3-48, Ravindra Jadeja 1-30) vs India
