IND vs SA: Predicted IND Playing XI for the second India vs South Africa Test
Following a 30-run defeat against South Africa, the Indian team is now looking for a bounce back in the second test match and manages to level the series. The second test will be held between two teams at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on November 22. This match is a must-win match for the Indian team to avoid another home series defeat. Last year, the Indian team faced an un-wanted 0-3 series defeat against New Zealand.
Before the match, the Indian team got a huge setback when skipper Shubman Gill was officially ruled out of the second test due to his neck injury, which occurred during the first test. BCCI announced the news with a post on their official X handle.
“Team India captain Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa, has been ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati. Rishabh Pant will lead the team in the 2nd Test in his absence.”
🚨 Update 🚨#TeamIndia captain Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa, has been ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati.
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 21, 2025
Rishabh Pant will lead the team in the 2nd Test in his absence.
Details 🔽 | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank…
This will be the first test assignment for Rishabh Pant as captain. Previously, he also captained the Indian T20I side against the same opponent in a 5-match T20I series in 2022. This series ended with a 2-2 draw. A couple of days ago, he also captained the India A side against South Africa A in a two-match unofficial Test series, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Fans can witness a major change in the playing XI after Gill was ruled out. One of them, Sai Sudharsan or Nitish Kumar Reddy, will be included in the playing XI instead of Shubman Gill.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been included in the squad in place of Shubman Gill. And now, some indications are coming out that he will also feature in the playing XI.
Apart from this, the rest of the playing XI potentially will be the same. However, a new batting order will be featured during the match by the Indian side. Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings with KL Rahul. But after this it will be interesting to see who will bat where.
For now, it seems that if Sai Sudharsan is included, he will play at 3, while Washington Sundar might bat 4. Although some reports also suggest that if Nitish Kumar Reddy is included in the playing XI, then Washington Sundar might be featured at 3 and Dhruv Jurel might bat at 4. In this situation, NKR will bat at a lower order.
The bowling line-up might be the same, and no changes will be made for this match. The Indian bowling unit did a terrific job in the India vs South Africa Kolkata test match. If batters contributed well, India might be the winning side.
Predicted India playing XI for the second test
Rishabh Pant ©, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan/Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav
