The Indian cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team are getting ready for the second and final Test starting from November 22 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. South Africa defeated the Indian cricket team by 30 runs in the first Test inside three days at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
India’s chase at the Eden Gardens turned into a nightmare with nothing going right for the home side as producing a rank turner backfired for them. With Shubman Gill out due to sudden neck spasm, India were already under pressure in the fourth innings.
Chasing a small target of 124 runs, the Indian cricket team’s innings collapsed dramatically as Simon Harmer destroyed the entire side by taking four wickets. The balls were kept down, some bounced off the surface, and the batsmen had no idea which ball would stay down or bounce up.
Indian cricket team collapses on rank turner, South Africa eyes test series win in Guwahati
Well, the Eden Gardens pitch became the biggest talking point of the match. The surface showed unexpected bounce from day one, but it became almost impossible to believe by the last innings. The batsmen looked uncomfortable throughout the game and in all four innings, only one player from either team managed to reach a half-century.
Also read: Rahul Dravid’s right hand man gets promotion in Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara becomes the head coach.
It was Temba Bavuma who battled through the chaos in the third innings and helped South Africa set a difficult target of 124. South Africa’s bowlers made full use of the surface, hitting the cracks, taking sharp turns and letting the pitch at Eden Gardens do the rest.
On the other hand, the Indian cricket team completely crumbled under pressure and was bundled out for just 93 runs as they lost the match by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens as South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing two-match Test series. This was South Africa’s first Test win in India in 15 years.
Team India refuses to leave Eden Gardens
Meanwhile, after the end of the first Test on Sunday 16 November, the Indian cricket team is not ready to leave Eden Gardens. The second and final Test is scheduled to be held in Guwahati, but still, the hosts are in Kolkata and ready to prepare on the same Eden Gardens pitch.
As per ESPNCricinfo report, the Indian cricket team has a training session in Kolkata on Tuesday (November 18) morning, and the team is scheduled to fly to Guwahati for the second Test on Wednesday (November 19).
Also read: Jitesh Sharma brutally insults Pakistan captain at Asia Cup as India continues no-handshake policy
Shubman Gill likely to be out of Guwahati Test
Reports have revealed that Shubman Gill, who was admitted to a Kolkata hospital after suffering neck cramps during the Kolkata Test, was finally discharged on Monday (November 17). However, Gill is not expected to join the team during the practice session at Eden Gardens.
The Indian captain has been advised complete rest and the medical team will continue to monitor his condition for the next two days. Additionally, he is unlikely to fly to Guwahati with the rest of his entourage, as doctors have said that commercial flights are not safe for someone recovering from a neck problem.
Due to this, Gill’s availability for the second Test is in serious danger.
