"These sort of wickets suit us a little better" - Indian coach's massive statement after Day 1 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

Team India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate commented that the pitch like the one in Guwahati suits them a little better than a rank turner that was prepared in Kolkata. Ten Doeschate made the significant statement after Day 1 of the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati, which saw an even contest between bat and ball.

South Africa won the toss and batted first on Day 1 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Saturday, November 22. The Proteas went to stumps at 247-6 after 81.5 overs. The Guwahati track played much better on Day 1 in comparison to Kolkata.

Speaking at a press conference following Day 1 of the contest, Ten Doeschate indirectly hinted that India are likely to stick to similar surfaces to the one in Guwahati for future home Tests. He commented:

"My personal point of view is that the wicket rarely determines who wins the game. If we had played better in Kolkata, I feel we could have won the Test on that surface. But, having said that, you've got to introspect and look at recent results. These sort of wickets maybe do suit us a little better. The template for us is probably closer to this, than playing on some of the wickets that we have played on." "Toss become even more important in such conditions. You've got to be prepared to fight really hard as the game is going to go deep. Make sure you stay in the game," the former Dutch cricketer went on to add.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the standout performer for India on Day 1 of the Guwahati Test. He claimed three wickets for 48 runs in 17 overs. Three other bowlers chipped in with one wicket each.

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"We were expecting a better wicket" - Ten Doeschate on Guwahati surface after Day 1 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

The pitch in Guwahati was expected to be in focus after the first Test in Kolkata lasted less than three days. Sharing his views on the surface for the second Test, Ten Doeschate opined that it was lifeless. He commented:

“Yeah, I thought it’s a massive contrast from the Kolkata pitch, for one thing. We were expecting a better wicket. I thought it was pretty lifeless, but I’ve just heard Tristan Stubbs say that it was quite hard to score as well. I think it was just good old-fashioned attritional Test cricket."

The Indian assistant coach went onto add that he doesn't see the Guwahati surface deteriorating very quickly. The 45-year-old elaborated:

“I don’t think there was any evidence to suggest that it’s deteriorating quite yet. I thought it played really nicely. So hopefully it stays in this sort of shape for at least an even amount of period for both teams to cash in on the first-innings scores."

At stumps on Day 1 of the Guwahati Test, Senuran Muthusamy was batting on 25 and Kyle Verreynne on one. Earlier, Tristan Stubbs was dismissed for 49 and skipper Temba Bavuma for 41.

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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert