"This is a game of first innings" - Former KKR batter's big statement on 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test in Guwahati

Former India opener and ex-KKR batter Aakash Chopra believes that the first-innings performance of both teams will go a long way in determining the result of the Guwahati Test. He also backed South African left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy to have an impact in the fourth innings.

South Africa won the toss and batted first on Day 1 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday, November 22. The Proteas got off to a good start as their openers added 82. They were 156-2 at the end of the second session. However, India hit back with four wickets in the last session of play as the visitors went to stumps at 247-6.

While reviewing the opening day's play in Guwahati on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that the performance of both sides in the first innings will be extremely crucial. He commented:

"Looking at this pitch, I feel this is a game of first innings - how well South Africa play and how well we respond to it. South Africa have added a left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy to their playing XI. They will be bowling last, so I think Muthusamy will have a role to play. First innings batting will be very crucial and India also have to account for the fading light situation in the must-win game."

The 48-year-old also expressed concern over India's fielding as KL Rahul dropped a sitter in the slips early in the match. Chopra commented:

"There is one area we need to improve, which is our catching. We dropped more than a dozen catches in the Asia Cup. Across three formats we are dropping catches. We do take some good catches, but are dropping a lot of catches. KL Rahul dropped Aiden Markram, which cost us. Catches do win you matches."

Rahul dropped a simple catch offered by Markram off Jasprit Bumrah in the seventh over of the Test. Bumrah eventually had his man when he cleaned up the South African opener for 38 in the 27th over.

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"Guwahati pitch is a good one" - Aakash Chopra praises surface for 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

The pitch for the first Test in Kolkata came in for plenty of scrutiny after the match ended inside three days. Chopra, however, expressed satisfaction with the Guwahati pitch. Stating that it has something for everyone, he elaborated:

"The Guwahati pitch is a good one. There is help for fast bowlers and spinners. There is good bounce. You don't want the mud to start coming off from Day 1. But, pitch preparation is not always perfect science. The intention should be that it will be good for all for 4-5 days."

At stumps on Day 1 of the second Test, Muthusamy was batting on 25 and keeper-batter Kyle Verreynne on one. For India, Kuldeep Yadav claimed three wickets.

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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert