India and South Africa are set to meet for the second and final Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from November 22–26, 2025. South Africa lead the two-match series 1-0 after their dominant win in Kolkata, while India face injury concerns and selection pressure ahead of this must-win contest.
Match Details
• Match: India vs South Africa, 2nd Test, IDFC FIRST BANK Test Series
• Dates: November 22–26, 2025
• Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
• Time: 9:00 AM (IST)
• TV Broadcast: Star Sports (India), SuperSport (Sub-Saharan Africa), Fox Cricket (Australia), PTV Sports (Pakistan), Willow TV (USA/Canada), Sky (New Zealand)
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar (India), Tamasha & MYCO (Pakistan), Kayo Sports & Prime Video (Australia), SuperSport App (Africa), Willow App (USA/Canada)
Teams Overview
India
India enter this match under pressure after a heavy defeat in the first Test at Eden Gardens, where their batting collapsed and key players suffered fitness issues. The biggest concern is the availability of captain Shubman Gill, who left the field due to neck discomfort and did not bat in the second innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been added as his backup, indicating that the team may need reshuffling at the top.
The management is also considering dropping Axar Patel to strengthen the batting lineup. Either Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal could come into the XI, while Washington Sundar may be pushed lower in the order. With the series on the line, India need improved batting discipline, tighter bowling spells, and stronger partnerships across the board.
South Africa
South Africa arrive in Guwahati with confidence after a convincing win in Kolkata. Their pace attack exposed India’s vulnerabilities on a lively pitch, and their batters put up a commanding performance. With a 1-0 lead, they now aim to seal a historic away series victory.
Led by Aiden Markram, South Africa are likely to stick with the same approach: aggressive pace bowling and patient batting. Their overall squad depth has been a standout feature of this tour, and they will look to maintain the same intensity to secure a whitewash.
Head-to-Head in Tests
Total Matches: 46
India Wins: 17
South Africa Wins: 18
Draws: 11
Historically, South Africa have been strong opponents for India in Test cricket, and their lead in this series strengthens their position. India, however, have dominated South Africa at home in recent years, making this Test even more crucial.
Probable Playing XIs
India (Captain: Rishabh Pant)
KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan/Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Rishabh Pant (WK & Captain)
South Africa (Captain: Aiden Markram)
Aiden Markram (C), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada
Pitch Report – Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
The Guwahati pitch traditionally supports batters early on, offering consistent bounce and pace. As the match progresses, spinners gain more assistance, especially from Day 3 onwards. Fast bowlers may find movement under clouds or early in the morning. A first-innings total of around 350 is considered competitive at this venue.
Teams winning the toss usually prefer batting first to make use of early batting-friendly conditions before the pitch slows down.
Key Players to Watch
India
• Rishabh Pant – Leading the side, his aggressive batting can shift momentum.
• Jasprit Bumrah – Will hold the key with the new ball in conditions that support early swing.
• Ravindra Jadeja – His all-round ability becomes crucial on a pitch that will turn.
South Africa
• Kagiso Rabada – In lethal form, capable of dismantling India’s top order again.
• Aiden Markram – Consistent at the top and pivotal in building long innings.
• Marco Jansen – Provides balance with both ball and bat.
Probable Match Scenarios
• If India bat first and negotiate the first hour, they can post a strong total.
• South Africa’s pace trio could dominate again if conditions offer early seam.
• Spin will play a major role from Day 3, bringing Kuldeep Yadav and Maharaj into the game.
• India’s chances depend heavily on the top order; another collapse could cost them the match and series.
Match Prediction
With momentum, fitness stability, and stronger recent performance, South Africa enter as favorites. India can bounce back if their batting holds, but uncertainty around Shubman Gill and shifting combinations give South Africa an edge.
Prediction: South Africa to win or the match to end in a draw; result advantage clearly with South Africa.