South Africa take a one-nil lead in the second and final Test after a stunning 30-run win over India at Eden Gardens. Now the series shifts to Guwahati and the Barsapara Stadium, where the first-ever Test will take place. India are suddenly under pressure to avoid defeat in the home series, while South Africa have the chance to consolidate their World Test Championship title with a landmark series win in India.
If you want to enjoy the start of the cricket summer with a brand new sports betting site, then check out PuntX – a brand new site that has just launched with some exciting and innovative promos. Be one of the first to see them by clicking on the banner below!
India vs South Africa 2nd Test Preview and Betting Odds
Guwahati, Saturday 22 November, 3pm AEDT
India
Team: Rishabh Pant (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhrub Jurel, Devdutt Padikal, KL Rahul, Sai Sundersan, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
India’s defeat in Calcutta was as painful as it was unexpected. They held a slim lead in the first innings after making 189 in reply to South Africa’s 159, building on KL Rahul’s patient 39 and key contributions from Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Jasprit Bumrah was excellent with the ball, taking 5/27, while Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav kept the pressure on to bowl out South Africa for 153 in the second innings. That should have given India a comfortable chase of 124.
Instead, the batting collapsed dramatically. India were dismissed for just 93 runs, suffering their first Test defeat at Eden Gardens since 2012. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj went through the order, with only Axar Patel on 26 showing any real resistance. Captain Shubman Gill retired injured at four in the first innings with a neck injury and did not bat in the second. He has been ruled out of the Guwahati Test, with Rishabh Pant taking over as captain. India need to find stability at the top of the order as well as a much better method against the South African spinners if they want to square the series.
South Africa
Team: Temba Bavuma (c), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Zubary Hamza, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada
South Africa arrive in Guwahati full of confidence after an away win that will be among the most impressive in recent years. On a challenging surface in Kolkata, they achieved a rough total of 159 and 153, based on determination rather than fluency. Aiden Markram’s 31 in the first innings and dogged contributions from Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton proved crucial in stringing together just enough runs to remain competitive.
It was their bowling that won them the match. Marco Jansen used his height brilliantly to take 3/35 in the first innings and caused problems throughout the match, while Simon Harmer put in a match-defining performance with 4/30 in India’s first innings and 4/21 in the second for eight wickets in total. Keshav Maharaj provided excellent support, turning the ball sharply and causing the scoring opportunities to dry up. With Mulder providing control and hostility at the other end, South Africa suddenly look like a team with a complete and balanced attack, even in Indian conditions.
Match prediction
The second Test feels much more open than most home Tests that India play. They rarely lose back-to-back matches at home and the move to Barsapara could provide a more even playing field, allowing batters to settle down and play across the line. A better delivery would benefit the likes of Rahul, Pant and Jadeja, all of whom are capable of producing the big first-innings scores that India usually rely on. There should also be a spark of energy when Pant is captain and the team responds to the criticism that followed the collapse in Calcutta.
However, South Africa have already proven that they can win here. Their spinners have beaten the Indian batters, their fasters have asked questions with the new ball, and their middle order has shown enough grit to hold on long enough for the bowlers to take control. If Harmer and Maharaj find even a modest turn, India could come under pressure again.
The emphasis is still on India to respond, adjust and align the series. Expect a significantly stronger batting effort from the hosts and a much tighter match overall.
India to win
$1.36 (5 units)
Player Prop
Rishabh Pant 50+ runs first innings ($2.80 at Ladbrokes)
Rishabh Pant looks perfectly placed to pass 50 in the first innings of the second Test. He was one of the few Indian batsmen in Kolkata who looked comfortable in both pace and spin, despite eventually throwing it away in the second innings. He now steps into this match with the added responsibility of captaincy, something that has historically sharpened rather than distracted from his focus. With Shubman Gill out and India needing stability through the middle, it is almost certain that Pant will get time at the crease rather than being rushed into the counter-attack.
#India #South #Africa #2nd #Test #Preview #Betting #Tips