IND vs SA 2nd Test: Team India failed to score 200 runs in both innings on a spin-friendly pitch in the Kolkata Test. Now the match is in Guwahati, where the Test match will be held for the first time.

Guwahati: South Africa has caused a stir by defeating Team India in the Kolkata Test using its own weapon: spin bowling. For the first time in 66 years, Team India failed to reach the 200-run mark in both innings. Former cricketers have strongly criticized Team India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for this record-breaking defeat at the Eden Gardens Stadium. Gautam Gambhir has even admitted that the team management requested a turning wicket in Kolkata, resulting in the 30-run defeat. India fielded four spinners in the match, but a South African spinner, who doesn't even have a regular spot in the team, overpowered them all, taking four wickets in each innings. Despite this, the team management is not going to change its policy. Media reports claim that Gautam Gambhir has expressed confidence in a turning wicket for the second Test in Guwahati, which has worried the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

This is the first time a Test match is being held in Guwahati.

Team India will play the second Test of the series against South Africa at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, starting November 22nd. This is the first Test match to be held there. According to a Times of India report, this is the reason that has the BCCI worried. The BCCI believes that the turning track could prove to be a detriment to hosting this Test. Another reason for the BCCI's concern is that the pitch curator at Barsapara Stadium is Ashish Bhowmick, who also heads the BCCI's panel of curators. Therefore, if the pitch behaves negatively on their home turf, it will raise many questions.

More concern due to red clay wicket

A BCCI source told the Times of India, "The (Barsapara) pitch is made of red clay. Red clay pitches tend to have more bounce and buoyancy. The Indian team had made clear its demand for a turning pitch even before the start of the domestic season. If the pitch turns, the ball will move with more speed and bounce, making it more difficult to play. Although the pitch curators have made every effort to ensure that the pitch does not have excessive ups and downs, there is still no clear prediction about its behavior."

Gambhir has denied the pitch issue

Gautam Gambhir dismissed the pitch issue after India's loss to South Africa in the Kolkata Test on Sunday. In the post-match press conference, Gambhir was asked if he would maintain the same stance on the pitch in Guwahati. Gambhir replied, "We have always maintained that a turning wicket should be one with minimal turn on the first day so that toss doesn't become a factor. We never said we wanted to play on a bad wicket or a rank-turner. If we had won this Test match, you wouldn't even be talking about this pitch. So my point is that instead of discussing the wicket, we should focus on improving our mindset and skills, as the wicket is the same for both teams. Whatever kind of wicket we get in Guwahati, we have people who can perform in any conditions and on any surface."

 PC:NBT