Rishabh Pant will lead India in the absence of Shubman Gill in the second Test match against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The match starts at 9:00 Am IST.
Toss: SA wins toss and decide to bat first
This is India’s 30th Test venue.
The Proteas are eyeing a historic series win in India, with Bavuma already boasting the fastest record of 10 Test victories as captain in just 11 matches.
Pitch report
The pitch itself has become a talking point. Prepared with red soil and a tinge of green, it promises bounce early on but is expected to settle into a spinner’s paradise later.
To accommodate Guwahati’s early sunsets, play begins 30 minutes earlier than usual, and session breaks have been flipped, with Tea scheduled before Lunch to maximize overs.
Bavuma described the Guwahati pitch as “a little fresher than Kolkata, with more grass,” predicting a traditional subcontinental wicket that favors batting in the first two days before spinners take charge from Day 3.
Guwahati welcomes the world! 👌
🎥 India's newest Test venue is ready for its debut in the 2⃣nd #INDvSA Test 🏟️#TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/nT12k82NA2
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 22, 2025
TV channels and live streaming
Fans in India can watch the live broadcast on Star Sports Network’s TV channels, with commentary available in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and other Indian regional languages across the network.
For online viewers, the match will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website for users with an active subscription.
The young guns are all geared up! 💪🏏
With #RishabhPant leading, #TeamIndia will look to level the series against the reigning World Test Champions! 👊#INDvSA 2nd Test 👉 STARTS SAT, 22nd NOV, 8 AM pic.twitter.com/O5tLMyNiwD
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 21, 2025
Playing XI
Gill was ruled out with a neck injury sustained during the first Test in Kolkata. Sudharsan’s inclusion could balance the left‑hand heavy batting order, while the Axar/Reddy decision will determine whether India goes spin‑heavy or adds seam depth.
India’s probable XI features Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Pant (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel/Nitish Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
India and South Africa have met 44 times in Test cricket. South Africa leads the overall head‑to‑head with 18 wins, India has 16 wins, and 10 matches ended in draws
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