Sun Nov 23 03:50:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
India and South Africa Locked in Tight Battle on Tricky Guwahati Pitch
Guwahati – The first day of Test cricket in Guwahati saw India and South Africa engage in a captivating battle of attrition, with South Africa ending the day at 247/6 after 81 overs. The pitch, while not offering outright demons, proved challenging for batsmen, rewarding patience and punishing lapses in concentration.
Indian seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj initially exploited the bounce, while spinners like Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav gained traction as the day progressed. South Africa’s top order all got starts, with Markram, Rickelton, Bavuma, and Stubbs all passing 35, but none could convert it into a half-century.
Stubbs, who was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav in the final session, described the pitch as one where you could bat time, but the scoreboard wouldn’t reflect the effort. This sentiment echoed throughout the South African batting lineup, as India’s relentless bowling attack kept them in check.
The day saw moments of brilliance from both sides, but ultimately ended with the two teams evenly matched, setting the stage for an intriguing second day.
First Piper 