South Africa’s hopes of securing back-to-back Test victories against India have taken a major hit, as their premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second Test starting Saturday in Guwahati. The decision follows medical advice after Rabada failed to fully recover from a rib injury sustained during a training session before the Kolkata Test.

Confirming the development, South African skipper Temba Bavuma said, “Kagiso has been ruled out of the second Test,” indicating that team management will soon finalize his replacement. Rabada also missed the series opener in Kolkata, where South Africa managed a thrilling 30-run win despite his absence. His continued unavailability leaves a big void in the team’s pace department, known for its potency in both home and away conditions.

Bavuma shared insights into the Guwahati pitch, describing it as a classic subcontinental surface. “This wicket looks a lot fresher and will be more consistent in terms of variability compared to Kolkata. We’ll have another look in the morning before deciding the playing combination,” he said. The captain expects batting to be favorable for the first two days, with the spinners likely to gain assistance as the match progresses.

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The second Test also marks a historic moment for the city of Guwahati, as the Barsapara Stadium will host a Test match for the first time. Both teams are stepping into uncharted territory, with local conditions and pitch behavior still relatively unknown. The match will therefore serve as both a tactical challenge and a milestone event for Indian cricket’s northeastern presence.

Rabada’s absence will likely push South Africa to reassess their bowling strategy, possibly introducing a debutant or turning to a spin-heavy attack. With India eager to bounce back and level the series, the contest promises to test both sides’ adaptability and depth on a surface that could dramatically shift in character over five days.

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