Following a humiliating loss in Kolkata, Team India aims to make a stunning comeback in the upcoming second test match of the series when they face off against South Africa at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
The stand-in captain, Rishabh Pant, is now under pressure to lead his team to glory in Shubman Gill’s absence to level the red-ball series at 1-1.
With few changes expected in India’s playing XI, the series decider contest promises to be a two-sided battle under clear weather conditions.
Unlike the Eden Gardens turning tracks, the curators have ensured to prepare the Guwahati Pitch in such a way as to offer a fair contest between the batting and bowling sides.
IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025 Match Details
| Test Match Number | 2609 |
| Date | November 22 (Saturday) to November 26 (Wednesday) |
| Venue | Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati |
| Seating Capacity | Upto 37,800 |
| Timings | 09:30 am LOCAL |
| Toss | 09 am |
| 01st Session | 09:30 am to 11:30 am |
| Lunch | 11:30 am to 12:10 pm |
| 02nd Session | 12:10 pm to 02:10 pm |
| Tea | 02:10 pm to 02:30 pm |
| 03rd Session | 02:30 pm to 04:30 pm |
Head-to-Head Analysis of India vs South Africa in Test Cricket
South Africa extended its dominating record against India after winning the Kolkata test, and here are the detailed head-to-head stats:
| IND vs SA in Test Cricket Matches | 45 |
| Won | INDIA: 16, and SOUTH AFRICA: 19 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Winnings at Home | INDIA: 11, and SOUTH AFRICA: 13 |
| Winnings Away | INDIA: 05, and SOUTH AFRICA: 06 |
| Winnings at Neutral Venue | INDIA: 0, and SOUTH AFRICA: 0 |
| Highest Test Innings Total | INDIA: 643/6 (in February 2010), and SOUTH AFRICA: 620/4 (in December 2010) |
| Lowest Test Innings Total | INDIA: 66/10 (in December 1996), and SOUTH AFRICA: 55/10 in 23.2 overs (in January 2024) |
Updated Rankings of India and South Africa in WTC 2025-27 Points Table
After a stunning 30-run victory at Eden Gardens, South Africa overtook India’s 3rd position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 points table, and here are the updated rankings of both teams:
| Teams | Rankings (out of 8 positions) | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Points and Percentage |
| INDIA | 4th | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 52 Points and 54.17 PCT |
| SOUTH AFRICA | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 24 Points and 66.67 PCT |
India’s Chances to Win the 2-Match Test Series vs South Africa?
India is left with no options of sealing the 2-match test series with a win after losing the series opener to South Africa. The team under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy needs to aim only for a win to draw the series 1-1.
A loss or a draw match for the hosts would allow South Africa to secure a whitewash test series victory on Indian soil after 25 years.
Guwahati Weather Reports For IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025
Here is an overall weather report for the 5-day test match (from 21st to 25th November) between India and South Africa in Guwahati:
- Temperature: 24 °C to 30 °C
- Wind Speed: 7 km/hr to 11 km/hr
- Humidity: 45% to 55%
- Cloud Cover: 40% to 50%
- Rainfall Chances: NIL
Barsapara Stadium Pitch Report For IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025
The Barsapara stadium pitches comprise red soil that offers a high level of pace and bounce for fast bowlers. As the surface takes more time to deteriorate, spinners will have less role to play and will be able to make noteworthy contributions only on Day 05. Highly skilled batters will have a great time accumulating runs at this venue.
The toss-winning captain should enhance the team’s winning chances by batting first and compiling a mammoth total on the board.
IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025 Possible Playing XI Combination
Both India and South Africa are likely to make a few changes to the playing XI to ensure a proper balance in the batting and bowling line-up for the forthcoming test. Here is the predicted playing XI combination of both teams:
India’s Predicted Starting XI for 2nd Test 2025 vs South Africa:
| S.No | Player | Role |
| 1. | KL Rahul | Batter |
| 2. | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
| 3. | Sai Sudharsan | Batter |
| 4. | Dhruv Jurel | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 5. | Rishabh Pant (Captain) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 6. | Washington Sundar | Spin Bowling All-Rounder |
| 7. | Ravindra Jadeja | Spin-Bowling All-Rounder |
| 8. | Nitish Kumar Reddy | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| 9. | Kuldeep Yadav | Spin Bowler |
| 10. | Jasprit Bumrah | Fast Bowler |
| 11. | Mohammed Siraj | Fast Bowler |
South Africa’s Predicted Starting XI for 2nd Test 2025 vs India:
| S.No | Player | Role |
| 1. | Aiden Markram | Batter |
| 2. | Ryan Rickelton | Wicketkeeper and Batter |
| 3. | Wiaan Mulder | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| 4. | Temba Bavuma (Captain) | Batter |
| 5. | Tony de Zorzi | Batter |
| 6. | Kyle Verreynne | Wicketkeeper and Batter |
| 7. | Marco Jansen | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| 8. | Corbin Bosch | Spin Bowling All-Rounder |
| 9. | Simon Harmer | Spin Bowler |
| 10. | Lungi Ngidi | Fast Bowler |
| 11. | Kagiso Rabada | Fast Bowler |
2nd Test 2025 Winner Prediction: India or South Africa?
The head-to-head stats and recent form favor South Africa as the favorites to win the series by 2-0. India will have a tough time without Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s lack of experience in test cricket captaincy, adding worries to the team’s success rate.
In conclusion, the team that maintains a high level of intent and consistency to score runs and grab wickets will triumph in the forthcoming clash.