India captain Rishabh Pant was under the scanner as he led the team for the first time in red-ball cricket during the second Test against South Africa. The visitors went on to win the toss and opted to bat first at the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati. Many wanted to see the strategy that Pant and the team would use to get wickets as this was the first time in history that a Test was being played at the venue.
However, former India cricketer Anil Kumble wasn't pleased with the way that Pant set the field during the first day and remarked that it looked like a field for an ODI. He pointed out that a deep square leg, long on and deep midwicket had been placed despite it being the opening day of the match.
"On the leg side, an ODI field has been set. It is the first session of Day 1, and even then there is a deep square leg, long on and deep midwicket," Kumble said on Star Sports.
Meanwhile, the first day of the Guwahati Test wasn't dominated by any of the two teams as both of them had spells where they took the upper hand over the other. South Africa finished off the day on 247/6 with Senuran Muthusamy unbeaten on 25 and Kyle Verreynne batting on 1.
South Africa got off to a positive start
The Proteas got off to a strong start with openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton forming an 82-run stand. The partnership was eventually brought to an end by Jasprit Bumrah, who rattled the wickets of Markram for 38 runs. Rickelton didn't manage to go too far either and was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav in the very next over for 35. Though the Men in Blue looked to have taken control, the duo of Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma fortmed a valiant stand as South Africa recovered from the loss of two quick wickets.
Both Stubbs and Bavuma played sensibly and were looked to post big scores. But, India managed to get the much-needed breakthrough thanks to Ravindra Jadeja, who dismissed Bavuma for 41. Then, Stubbs went on to miss his fifty by a whisker as Kuldeep sent him back to the pavilion for 49. The left-arm spinner would then take his third wicket of the day and it came in the form of Wiaan Mulder, who departed cheaply for 13.
Bad light brought the play to an end
With only a few overs left in the day, India gave a final blow to the Proteas as Mohammed Siraj got rid of Tony de Zorzi for 25. The over would not be completed as bad light brought the play to an abrupt end. The visitors will be hoping to atleast surpass the 300-run mark as the play resumes on Day 2 while the Indian bowlers will be in the hunt for early wickets so that they can bring their innings to an end as soon as possible.