South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has given a candid verdict on the Guwahati pitch ahead of the second Test against India, saying it is a “typical sub continental” surface which will assist the batsmen initially before the spinners come into play. The match begins from November 22 at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati’s first-ever Test which adds to the curiosity about how the pitch would behave.
Why Does Bavuma Expect Early Batting Conditions?
Bavuma said the Guwahati wicket “looks a lot fresher and will be more consistent in terms of variability compared to Kolkata”. He believes the first two days will be good for batters as seam and pace will help early on, but as the game wears on, spinners will take over progressively.
That’s important given what happened in the first Test in Kolkata, where the Eden Gardens surface proved controversial for its sharp turn and irregular bounce.
What Are the Experts Saying About the Guwahati Surface?
Pitch experts and others in the Proteas camp echo Bavuma’s comments. The South African bowling unit has flagged the pitch’s visible grass cover, warning how much grass is trimmed might swing how the match develops.
Reports coming in from the Indian camp suggest that the Barsapara Stadium pitch is being prepared with red soil, that can provide more bounce and carry. That may well imply that the deck can assist seam early on, before spinners start to come into their own.
BCCI seems to have made its position clear, meanwhile; they reportedly have asked for a “fair pitch with pace and bounce.”
How Does the Absence of Rabada Factor In?
Adding to the high stakes, Bavuma confirmed that Kagiso Rabada is ruled out of the Guwahati Test. The injury to their strike bowler adds pressure on South Africa’s bowling unit, especially as Bavuma expects seamers to play a meaningful role early on.
Bavuma said they will reassess the pitch in the morning session before deciding on Rabada’s replacement.
Will The Toss Play A Major Role in Guwahati Test?
Interestingly, Bavuma felt the toss may not play such a deciding factor in Guwahati like what happened in Kolkata. As much as batting first does help, he thinks both teams will have to do some adjusting considering the nature of the pitch.
He downplayed changes like tea being taken before lunch and says that those kinds of logistical tweaks mean little compared to how the team approaches the conditions.
What South African Captain Temba Bavuma Said?
But Bavuma struck an optimistic tone about his team’s mindset: “The mood is buoyant among the boys … everyone is looking forward to it.”
He also made clear his tactical preference: if they win the toss, he’d prefer to bowl first, believing their attack can exploit early conditions well.
With Guwahati’s untested surface and key personnel missing, the second Test promises to be a fascinating tactical battle, and Bavuma’s fearless assessment signals that the Proteas are ready to embrace it.
