Shubman Gill ruled out, Pant to make red-ball captaincy debut:Barsapara Stadium to host first Test match in Guwahati; South Africa lead series 1-0

India will look to regroup quickly after their disappointing 30-run loss to South Africa in the Kolkata Test. With the series on the line, the team is preparing for a strong comeback in the Guwahati Test, which begins on 22 November at 9:30 AM IST. However, India has suffered a major setback as captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out due to a neck injury. In his absence, Rishabh Pant is set to make his red-ball captaincy debut, while Sai Sudharsan is likely to step in as Gill’s replacement in the playing XI. The match also marks a historic moment, as Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium will host its first-ever international Test. South Africa enter the decider with a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Their bowlers dominated in Kolkata, dismantling India’s batting line-up with ease. Simon Harmer was the standout performer, claiming eight wickets and playing a key role in the visitors’ victory. India will need a far more disciplined batting display if they hope to level the series. Ahead of the Guwahati Test, South Africa have added Lungi Ngidi to their squad in the absence of senior pacer Kagiso Rabada. Ngidi is expected to feature in the upcoming match, strengthening an already confident Proteas attack. IND vs SA, 2nd Test, match details Date Time: 22 November, 09:30 AM Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar, Bhaskar English (App/Website) Live Telecast: Star Sports Network IND vs SA Test head-to-head India and South Africa have played 45 Test matches so far. India has won 16 of them, while South Africa has claimed victory in 19 games. The remaining 10 encounters ended in a draw. Shubman Gill ruled out, Pant set to make Test captaincy debut India suffered a major setback ahead of the second Test against South Africa, as captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out due to a neck injury. Gill arrived in Guwahati on Wednesday with the squad, but the decision regarding his participation became clear soon after medical assessments. Despite travelling without a neck brace, the opener has not recovered enough to play. In Gill’s absence, Rishabh Pant is set to lead Team India, marking his first-ever Test as captain, a responsibility he had been expected to take on before his accident. Gill eventually took over earlier this year, but Pant now appears ready to return to a leadership role. Barsapara Cricket Stadium pitch report The Barsapara pitch is expected to offer true bounce and good batting conditions during Days 1 and 2, giving value for shots while keeping pacers interested with decent carry. From Days 3 and 4, the surface should become abrasive, bringing spinners and reverse swing into play. This track is neither a Kolkata-style minefield nor a high-scoring flat pitch. The match will likely favour the team that adapts quickest to changing conditions. Guwahati weather report Guwahati is expected to have mostly sunny weather on Saturday, providing ideal conditions for play. The temperature will hover around 26°C, with a 15% chance of precipitation, making rain interruptions unlikely. Humidity will be around 72%, which may add some warmth to the conditions. A light 5 km/h wind is forecast, offering minimal impact on gameplay.