Bumrah Dismisses Markram as South Africa End Session at 82-1

South Africa finished the first session of the second Test on a steady note, reaching 82 for 1 at tea on the opening day in Guwahati. The major breakthrough for India came from Jasprit Bumrah, who removed Aiden Markram with the final ball before the break. Markram had scored 38 runs and looked comfortable until he misread a full delivery and was bowled cleanly while trying a big drive.

Before that crucial wicket, Bumrah bowled a disciplined and testing spell. He kept troubling both Markram and Ryan Rickleton with movement off the pitch. Rickleton, who remained unbeaten on 35 at tea, also faced difficult moments during Bumrah’s early overs. India created a good chance early in the innings, but KL Rahul dropped a straightforward catch at second slip when Markram was batting on just six. This allowed the South African opener to settle and build a steady partnership.

The pitch in Guwahati offered some spin and bounce toward the end of the first session. Deliveries from Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar showed signs of turn, but overall, the surface was better for batting than expected. The early moisture helped the fast bowlers, but once it dried up, stroke-making became easier for the visiting side.

Bumrah used the slight lateral movement available to challenge both edges of the bat. He bowled sharp off-cutters that hit Markram’s pads and kept the batter uncomfortable. Finally, he delivered a straightening ball that beat Markram’s bat completely, giving India a much-needed wicket. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj bowled with good rhythm and repeatedly tested Rickleton with his deliveries that pitched on middle stump and moved away.

Indian captain Rishabh Pant brought in Nitish Reddy just before the drinks break to change the attack. Reddy later switched ends but could not create the same level of pressure as Bumrah or Siraj. India also set an ‘in-out’ field with three slips but deep fielders on the boundary, making scoring easier for the South African openers once they settled.

Markram played some attractive shots, including a strong punch through the covers off Reddy, one of the best boundaries of the session. Rickleton, on the other hand, punished any loose deliveries drifting down the leg side from Siraj and Reddy. His calm and steady approach helped South Africa rebuild after the wicket just before tea.

India’s bowling attack looked sharp in phases, with Bumrah leading the effort. The session highlighted how important early chances can be, as Rahul’s dropped catch proved costly. Had that catch been taken, South Africa might have faced more pressure early in the innings.

At tea, South Africa stood at 82 for 1, with Rickleton looking settled and Wiaan Mulder expected to join him in the next session. India will aim for quick wickets after the break to shift momentum in their favour. The hosts know that removing Rickleton early will be key to stopping South Africa from building a big first-innings total.

The match features strong teams from both sides. India’s playing XI includes KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, B Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. South Africa’s lineup features Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, and Keshav Maharaj.

With plenty of cricket left, both India and South Africa will look to take control in the next session as the battle continues on an improving pitch.