Kuldeep says Guwahati pitch ‘difficult for bowlers’ but remains optimistic about India’s chances

It was a bruising day for India on the field, as South Africa’s lower order nearly doubled its first-innings total in the second Test in Guwahati.

On Sunday, the Proteas added 242 runs for the last four wickets, with Senuran Muthusamy scoring his maiden Test hundred while Marco Jansen blitzed his way to a career-best 93.

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav admitted that there wasn’t much help for the home bowlers from the Guwahati surface.

“I think it’s clear that Kolkata’s wicket was different, and this was a road,” pointed out Kuldeep, with a laugh, at the media interaction after Day 2.

“I felt yesterday, the first session, there was a bit of moisture in the wicket, so I got a little bit of turn there. Today was much better for batting. I hardly got any turn. [Ravindra] Jadeja and I have been talking about how the wicket was very good to bat on,” said Kuldeep.

“We knew that this was not a track where they’re going to roll out very easily. And obviously, we knew that we had to be very disciplined with our bowling length and line. We tried, but yeah, as everyone knows, Jansen and Muthuswamy batted well. But obviously, overall, everyone put in a good effort. It was a difficult wicket for the bowlers. Because I didn’t feel that there was a lot of help in this wicket,” added Kuldeep.

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The left-arm wrist spinner, though, isn’t disheartened by the way the conditions favoured the batters.

“It’s challenging. That’s why we call it Test cricket. Not every day will be yours. As a bowler, you always want to dominate. But when you get a good wicket, it’s also important how you make a comeback. Like we bowled well yesterday and were in good control. But obviously, in one session, there was a partnership, and we fell behind in the game.

“But yes, this is Test cricket, and you should enjoy it. You learn from it and you mature from it. You shouldn’t think so much about the wicket. You should go there and play. You keep learning according to that. I’m sure that in the next Test match, there will be a better wicket for the bowlers. So, I have no complaints,” said Kuldeep.

With the home team chasing a win to draw level in the game, Kuldeep suggested that India would have to bat around five sessions to gain a ‘good position’.

“We have to bat really well tomorrow, and then we’ll see. Every session is very important. We’ll take it session by session. As of now, we’re not thinking too much about day four or day five, you know. So, you have to bat well, and if you bat for five sessions, we will be in a good position to decide what to do next,” said Kuldeep.

Published on Nov 23, 2025