Guwahati’s Test debut begins on balanced note before Kuldeep tilts Day 1 India’s way

Contrary to the widespread perception on social media about the nature of pitch at the ACA Stadium, hosting its first ever Test match, it turned out to be another typical sub-continental first day wicket with the surface playing true to its nature, and the variable bounce from the pacers keeping the South African batters in check early on before the spinners played their part, with Kuldeep Yadav accounting for three wickets to restrict the Proteas to 247/6 at stumps.

Unlike the fiery opening stand witnessed in Kolkata in the series opener, the unusual 9 am in Guwahati initially aided the quicker bowlers even as the South African top order almost successfully negotiated the threat in the first two sessions before Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja exploited the conditions later in the day.

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As former India skipper and head coach Anil Kumble predicted before the start of proceedings, “I don’t see the pitch to be dangerous like Kolkata. It will be a good surface to bat on. Even if you look at the Ranji Trophy scores. It’s red soil so it should last for four-five days.”

On Saturday, the proceedings began with the ceremonial ringing of the bell, freshly installed on the eve of the historic Test with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and president Mithun Manhas, signalling the start of play in the country’s newest and 30th Test centre. As part of the pre-match ceremony, the two captains signed portraits of the ACA stadium, and a specially crafted gold coin created to mark the occasion was presented to both skippers.

Before that, at the toss, there was no change of luck even for Rishabh Pant, who became the 38th Indian captain in Tests, as South Africa won the toss and elected to bat with Temba Bavuma terming the pitch as “consistent”.

“Wicket looks a lot better. No cracks really, pitch looks consistent. Happy to be part of this historic moment, the first Test here,” Bavuma said with Pant echoing his counterpart’s words, “We feel the wicket is good for batting but at the same time bowling first is not a bad option either.”

Once the action began, it was business as usual for Bumrah, who started the proceedings from the pavilion end and extracted the moisture, testing the South African openers — Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram. Unlike Kolkata, Markram had to wait for 16 balls to finally open his account with a four before an outside edge almost ended his stay only for KL Rahul to spill the chance.

But that was the only blemish from the South African opening pair in the first hour as they looked set to end a wicketless first session before Burmah returned for an over to spoil their plans by removing the well-set Markram for 38 on the last ball before tea.

After the 20-minute break, the change of ends helped Kuldeep Yadav extract sharp turn forcing Rickelton for a healthy edge with a significant deviation, with Pant collecting it cleanly to leave the visitors at 82/2.

Thereafter, Tristan Stubbs, reinstated in his No.3 position and Bavuma joined forces in the middle, and the right-handed pair steadied the ship for South Africa with an unbeaten 74-run stand to take the visitors to 156/2 at lunch. However, in the middle of the action in the second session, Mohammed Siraj survived an injury scare after colliding with Stubbs, but to the relief of the 15,000 fans, the Indian seemed fine after being attended by the team physio.

India began the post-lunch session with a bang, as Ravindra Jadeja ended the stubborn 84-run partnership with the wicket of Bavuma, who consumed 92 balls for 41. Stubbs, who looked solid in defence, perished soon after, one shy of his half-century after edging one back from Kuldeep Yadav. Reduced to 187/4, wicketkeeper Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder were tasked with the rebuilding job but Kuldeep ended the brief partnership by removing Mulder (13) for his third wicket of the day.

By the time, it appeared that South Africa would head back for stumps with five back in the hut, Mohammed Siraj packed de Zorzi back (28), leaving Senuran Muthusamy (25 not out) and Kyle Verreynne (1 not out) to see off the final few overs for the Proteas.

Brief Scores: South Africa 247/6 (Tristan Stubbs 49, Temba Bavuma 41, Aiden Markram 38; Jasprit Bumrah 1/38, Kuldeep Yadav 3/48) vs India.