South Africa chase history in India as coach Gambhir feels the heat

Temba Bavuma’s South Africa are aiming for their first Test series victory in India in 25 years when the second match starts on Saturday in Guwahati.

The visitors stunned India in a low-scoring first Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to extend their fine run after being crowned World Test champions in June.

The victory was South Africa’s first in India since they won the opener of a two-match series in 2010.

South Africa, who recently drew 1-1 in Pakistan, are now chasing a first series win on Indian soil since Hansie Cronje’s team triumphed there in 2000.

“We won a World Test Championship final earlier in the year against Australia at Lord’s, but this was right up there for us,” coach Shukri Conrad said of the Kolkata win.

“Coming to India, playing at Eden Gardens, doing something we haven’t done for 15 years, this is right up there.

“What we lack in (ability) we certainly make up in the ability to play as a unit and the resilience that we show. We never give up.”

Led by skipper Bavuma, South Africa defied the odds on a turning pitch with inconsistent bounce at Eden Gardens to beat India at their own game of spin.

Bavuma’s gritty 55 not out in South Africa’s second innings paved the way for a thrilling win inside three days after the tourists bundled out India for 93 in their chase of 124.

Bavuma’s half-century was the only fifty between the two teams on a track where bowlers dominated.

South Africa have added Lungi Ngidi to their squad after fellow quick Kagiso Rabada missed the opener with a rib injury and is doubtful for the final match.

Rabada watched his fellow bowlers rattle the Indian batting with spinner Simon Harmer taking a match haul of eight wickets.

India won’t risk another Gill injury: India will not play skipper Shubman Gill in the second Test against South Africa on Saturday if it risks aggravating his neck injury, a team coach said.

Gill has travelled with the squad to Guwahati but faces a race against time, with a decision set to be made late on the eve of the match.

The top-order batsman suffered neck spasms in the first innings of the opening Test and pulled out of the remainder of the match, spending a night in hospital.

“He is definitely recovering really well,” batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Thursday, amid reports in Indian media that Gill is set to miss the Test.

“The decision will be taken tomorrow evening because the physios, doctors will have to take a call that even if he is fully recovered he should not get the spasm again during the game.”

“If he is fully recovered and it is a guarantee that he won’t have this issue again then he will play,” said Kotak.

“If there is doubt, then I am sure he will take rest (for) one more game because it won’t be helpful to the team.”

India lost a low-scoring first Test in Kolkata inside three days after they failed to chase down 124 on a turning pitch with inconsistent bounce.

A batter short with Gill out, India were bundled out for 93 to trail the two-match series 1-0.

Kotak said the hosts have a strong bench to fill Gill’s spot if the captain does not play.

“A player like Shubman and a captain any team would miss, but if he is missing out due to injury we have batters and plenty of good players,” he said.

Agencies