Guwahati: India have made key changes to their playing XI ahead of the second Test against South Africa at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Shubman Gill will miss the match due to a neck injury sustained on Day 2 of the first Test at Eden Gardens. In his absence, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will captain India, becoming the 38th player to lead the team in Test cricket and only the second designated wicketkeeper to do so after MS Dhoni.
B Sai Sudharsan returns to the playing XI as Gill’s replacement. Sudharsan, who has featured in all five of India’s Tests so far as a No. 3 batter, will bring stability to the batting lineup. Additionally, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who played both Tests against the West Indies last month, replaces Axar Patel in a bid to strengthen India’s balance for the crucial encounter.
South Africa have also made one adjustment, bringing in spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy in place of fast-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch. Muthusamy, who impressed during the two-match series against Pakistan last month, is expected to bolster the Proteas’ spin attack and contribute with the bat.
Playing XIs:
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, B Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (C), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first in the inaugural Test at Barsapara. After a low-scoring first Test at Eden Gardens, Bavuma will be looking to anchor the innings and set up a strong total for the visitors.
India will aim to bounce back in the must-win encounter under Pant’s leadership, while South Africa will seek to secure a historic series victory on Indian soil.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
