GUWAHATI: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against India in Guwahati on Saturday, aiming to build on his side’s 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The Proteas made a single alteration to their lineup, drafting in spinner Senuran Muthusamy to replace seamer Corbin Bosch on a surface Bavuma believes will offer consistency.
“The wicket looks a lot better,” Bavuma said, noting the improved conditions compared to the series opener in Kolkata, which South Africa won inside three days. “No cracks really, pitch looks consistent. We’ll try to get a good score first up and play the game from there.”
India, led once again by stand-in captain Rishabh Pant, were forced into changes of their own. With regular skipper Shubman Gill sidelined by injury, Nitish Kumar Reddy came into the XI, while batter B Sai Sudharsan replaced all-rounder Axar Patel for what is the first-ever Test match at the Barsapara Stadium.
