South Africa loses late wicket in 1st session of the 2nd test against India after winning the toss

By Canadian Press on November 21, 2025.

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Jasprit Bumrah struck at the stroke of the first break on Saturday as South Africa reached 82-1 after opting to bat on the first day of the second cricket test against India.

Bumrah bowled Aiden Markram for 38, while Ryan Rickelton was unbeaten on 35 runs.

South Africa won the first test in Kolkata by 30 runs, the Proteas’ first test win in India in 15 years.

Markram got an early life off Bumrah’s bowling. He edged to second slip in the seventh over, where Lokesh Rahul dropped a simple chance when Markram was on four.

Markram added 50 runs off 97 balls with Rickelton as the opening duo enjoyed good bounce and batting conditions on the first morning.

India made two changes — batting allrounder Nitish Reddy came in for injured skipper Shubman Gill, while Sai Sudharsan played ahead of left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel.

Rishabh Pant became India’s 38th test captain, but without any luck at the coin toss. India has lost eight of the nine tosses in tests this year.

Pant stood in for Gill, who was ruled out of the second test. Gill had sustained a neck spasm while batting on day one in Kolkata and didn’t take any further part in that match.

South Africa made one change — left-arm spin all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy came in for medium pace all-rounder Corbin Bosch.

South Africa was chasing a first test series win in India since 2000-01.

The sessions were changed due to concerns over daylight at the Guwahati stadium. So the teams took a short tea break during the first interval before a scheduled longer break after two sessions.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The Associated Press

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