South Africa will play the Guwahati Test match vs India with 1-0 lead. Shubman Gill will not play in the upcoming match. Ahead of second match, fitness concerns over another key player.
Who is uncertain for India vs South Africa 2nd Test?
South Africa bowling coach Piet Botha did not rule out Kagiso Rabada playing in the second Test against India starting on Saturday, but the key fast bowler did not take part in training on Thursday. Rabada, one of the world’s best fast bowlers and a key part in the South African pace attack, missed the first Test in Kolkata after suffering a rib injury during a pre-match training session.
Bowling coach Piet Botha said on the possibility of the fast bowler playing in the second Test, “We are keeping an eye on Kagiso Rabada and will take a decision in the next 24 hours.” Guwahati is hosting a Test match for the first time and both the teams are unfamiliar with the pitch of the Barsapara Stadium.
Concerns over fitness
“We’ve been told the wicket (in Guwahati) is good for batting,” Botha said of the pitch. “But whether you have grass or not makes a big difference. With two days left, we’ll have to wait and see if it starts turning early.”
South Africa’s bowling coach is hopeful that off-spinner Simon Harmer, one of the heroes of the visitors’ memorable win in the first Test at Eden Gardens, will continue to trouble the Indian batsmen in the final match, while also ruling out any fitness issues.”Simon Harmer has no shoulder issues,” Botha said. “If the ball starts turning early like it did in Kolkata, he will be dangerous with so many left-handers in the batting order.” “(We) saw it this morning. There are still two days left, so it’s hard to predict whether they’ll actually cut more grass or not. It will obviously make a difference,” he added.