Ind vs SA Test 2 Day 1 : Kuldeep Yadav picks crucial wickets to bring back India into the decider
On Day 1 in Guwahati, South Africa looked set to post a huge first-innings total after a fluent start, but India clawed their way back into the contest with a late burst of wickets. At stumps, the visitors were 247/6, still in control, but India regained momentum through an inspired spell of spin.
What happened on Day 1
South Africa, having won the toss and elected to bat, built a solid platform thanks to an 82-run opening stand between Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton. Reuters+1 But India fought back with key breakthroughs thanks to Kuldeep Yadav’s three-wicket burst and tight spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
India vs South Africa - 2nd Test • Day 1
South Africa tour of India 2025/26 • 22–26 November 2025
Session-wise analysis
Morning session
South Africa’s openers made the most of Bavuma’s decision to bat first. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton were solid against the new ball, putting on an 82-run stand and hardly giving India a look-in. Markram, especially, was busy at the crease, driving anything over-pitched and punishing width on a surface that had pace but not a lot of lateral movement early on. Jasprit Bumrah finally broke through right on the stroke of the first interval, bowling Markram for 38 off 81, but at 82/1 South Africa clearly owned the opening session.
Afternoon session
The middle session was all about consolidation from South Africa and quiet frustration for India. Rickelton fell early after the break for 35, edging Kuldeep Yadav, but Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs then took charge with an 84-run stand for the third wicket. They moved the score from a slightly tricky 82/2 to a dominant 166/2, batting patiently and forcing India’s spinners to go flatter and straighter. Bavuma’s defence looked compact, Stubbs used his feet nicely, and by the time they took lunch at 156/2 in 55 overs, South Africa had wrested control back and were eyeing 300-plus.
Final session:
The last session flipped the day on its head and brought India roaring back. Ravindra Jadeja started the slide by removing Bavuma for 41, mis-hit to long-off, before Kuldeep Yadav produced the killer blows. He trapped Stubbs for 49 and then dismissed Wiaan Mulder for 13, turning 166/2 into a nervous 220/5 in no time. Bad light was looming, but Mohammed Siraj still had time to grab Tony de Zorzi’s wicket with the second new ball, leaving South Africa at 247/6 in 81.5 overs with Senuran Muthusamy 25* and Verreynne 1* at stumps. India comfortably shaded the final session and probably the day overall.
Top Performers
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav was the reason South Africa didn’t run away with Day 1. On a surface that wasn’t raging turner but did reward brave spin, he kept attacking the stumps and the outside edge. His first strike, Rickelton for 35, broke a stubborn partnership just as South Africa were settling in. Later, with Bavuma and Stubbs cruising, Kuldeep’s variations ripped open the middle order – he removed Stubbs on 49 and then Mulder soon after, both beaten by flight and sharp spin. Figures of 3/48 in 19 overs on a good batting track underline how central he was to India clawing back control.
Temba Bavuma (41) – Captain’s glue in the middle
Bavuma’s 41 might not jump off the scorecard, but it was the innings that held South Africa’s day together. Coming in after the openers laid a platform, he absorbed pressure from Kuldeep and Jadeja, rarely playing away from his body and rotating the strike nicely with Stubbs. Their 84-run stand shifted the game firmly South Africa’s way, taking the score past 150 and making India’s bowlers rethink their plans. Even his dismissal – caught trying to go over mid-off – came from an intent to push the scoring along before the light faded. Without Bavuma’s calm, South Africa could easily have been four down much earlier.
Tristan Stubbs (49) – Counter-attacking pivot
Stubbs walked in with the ball already gripping a bit and the spinners settling into long spells, but he refused to get bogged down. Mixing watchful defence with calculated aggression – the occasional skip down the track to Jadeja, the pull to anything short from Bumrah – he turned a tricky situation into a strong one. His 49 off 118 balls was not just about runs; it changed the tempo of the innings and allowed Bavuma to play in his own bubble at the other end. The moment Kuldeep dismissed him, South Africa’s scoring rate dipped and India suddenly sensed a collapse, which is exactly what followed.
What to expect on Day-2
Going into Day 2, India will aim to wrap up the South African first innings quickly and then build a strong reply to apply pressure. South Africa, meanwhile, must aim to post a big total, ideally past 300, to maintain the advantage and force India into a deep deficit. The pitch is showing signs of spin coming into play, so early wickets by India’s spinners could be crucial.
