Let's talk about Day 1 of the second Test between India and South Africa. This wasn't just any day of cricket; it was steeped in history and drama from the get-go. With India down 1-0 after a tough loss in Kolkata, all eyes were on Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium, which was proudly hosting its first-ever Test match. Add to that a new captain for India, the dynamic Rishabh Pant, and you've got the recipe for a fascinating day of red-ball cricket.
Key Highlights
- ✓ South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first in the historic, first-ever Test match in Guwahati.
- ✓ Rishabh Pant became India's 38th Test captain, stepping in for the injured Shubman Gill.
- ✓ Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav struck to remove openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton respectively.
- ✓ Captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs forged a solid 66-run partnership to steady the ship for the Proteas.
- ✓ Bavuma achieved a personal milestone, crossing 1000 runs as a Test captain for South Africa.
A New Chapter in Guwahati
The day began with a significant moment even before a ball was bowled. South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, won the toss and, without much hesitation, opted to bat first. The pitch report from Deep Dasgupta and Shaun Pollock suggested it was a "really good Test pitch" with a bit of moisture that would help the batters if they could just negotiate that first hour. Bavuma clearly agreed, aiming to put a big score on the board and control the game.
For India, the story was the man leading them onto the field. With Shubman Gill nursing a neck injury, Rishabh Pant stepped up to become the 38th man to captain India in Test cricket. It's a huge moment for any player, and Pant put it perfectly at the toss, saying, "Definitely a proud moment. As a cricketer, you always aspire to lead your country." India made a couple of key changes, bringing in all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and batter Sai Sudharsan to balance the side.
The Early Grind and a Costly Drop
With South Africa's openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton at the crease, India's new-ball pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj got to work. The early overs were tight, but a few extras through byes gave the Proteas a gentle start. Then, in the 7th over, came a moment that must have made every Indian fan groan. Bumrah produced a beauty that found the thick edge of Markram's bat, and the ball flew straight to KL Rahul at first slip.
It looked like a straightforward chance, but somehow, it was dropped. You could see the sheer disappointment on Bumrah's face—it was a massive let-off. Capitalizing on the lifeline, Markram and Rickelton settled in and began to build a formidable partnership. They ticked past the 50-run mark, and soon their stand became the highest of the entire series, surpassing 60 runs. The momentum was firmly with South Africa, and India was getting desperate for a breakthrough.
India Strikes Back Before the Proteas Rebuild
Just when it felt like the session was slipping away, Jasprit Bumrah produced a moment of magic. Right on the stroke of the tea break, he delivered a pacy ball that beat Markram, took the outside edge, and crashed into the stumps. Markram was gone for 38, and India finally had their first wicket with the score at 82. It was a huge relief and a perfect way to end the session.
The second session began with India looking to build on that late success. It didn't take long. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav, ever the trickster, tossed one up to Ryan Rickelton. The batsman went for a lazy drive, got an outside edge, and Rishabh Pant completed the catch behind the stumps. Rickelton was out for 35, and just like that, South Africa were 82/2. Both settled openers were back in the pavilion.
The Bavuma-Stubbs Resistance
With their team in a slightly precarious position, captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs came together. What followed was a masterclass in rebuilding an innings. They were cautious at first but soon grew in confidence, punishing anything loose. Bavuma looked particularly good, hitting a wristy boundary off Ravindra Jadeja and a brilliant pull shot for four off Siraj.
Tristan Stubbs was equally impressive, even taking on his Delhi Capitals teammate Kuldeep Yadav for a massive six over long-on. The partnership blossomed, ticking past 50 and leaving the Indian bowlers searching for answers. Their stand blunted India's attack and shifted the momentum squarely back in South Africa's favor. By the time the 50th over rolled around, the partnership was worth a solid 66 runs, and the Proteas had moved to 148/2, putting themselves in a strong position.
There was even a minor collision between Stubbs and Siraj as they both watched the ball, leading to a brief pause for the physio to check on Siraj. But it was just a small blip in an otherwise dominant period of play for the batting side. Bavuma's gritty knock of 32 and Stubbs' confident 28 have set a strong foundation for South Africa heading into the rest of the match.
Conclusion
So, at the end of this passage of play on Day 1, the honors were arguably shared, but South Africa will surely feel they have the upper hand. After winning the toss on a good batting deck, they navigated a tricky new-ball spell and survived a dropped catch to build a great opening stand. Though India fought back admirably to dismiss both openers, the determined partnership between Bavuma and Stubbs has put the visitors in a commanding position. The game is beautifully poised, and Day 2 promises another fascinating battle between bat and ball.
