The highly anticipated second Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to begin on Saturday, November 22, at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Following a narrow 30-run defeat in the first match, India is under pressure to level the series and avoid consecutive home series losses.
Adding to the challenge, Indian captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out with a neck injury. Rishabh Pant will take over the captaincy duties, marking his first time leading the Test side. Pant faces a stern test against a confident South African team that has a strong unbeaten record under captain Temba Bavuma.
Pant acknowledged the unusual circumstances of his captaincy debut, stating, “One-off match is not the best scenario as a captain. But at the same time, I’m really proud that BCCI has given me this opportunity. You know, whenever you’re leading your country, it’s the proudest moment.” He is ready to embrace the responsibility.
This Test will feature a peculiar schedule change: tea will be taken before lunch. This adjustment, typically reserved for day-night matches, has been implemented by the BCCI due to the early sunset in Guwahati. Officials cited the region’s distinct sunrise and sunset timings as the reason for altering the schedule to maximize playing time and avoid interruptions.
Match Schedule Highlights:
Start Time: 9:00 AM IST on November 22
Session 1: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tea: 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
Session 2: 11:20 AM – 1:20 PM
Lunch: 1:20 PM – 2:00 PM
Session 3: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Fans can catch all the live action on the Star Sports Network for television broadcasts. For live streaming options, JioHotstar will be the platform to watch the IND vs SA Test series.