India’s Likely Playing XI for 2nd Test vs South Africa: Check Predicted 11 for IND vs SA Cricket Match in Guwahati

India face a must-win situation as they take on South Africa in the IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025 if they are to avoid another home series defeat to a SENA nation. South Africa have an unexpected and unassailable lead in the two-match IND vs SA Test, stunning the Shubman Gill-led side on a tricky Eden Gardens pitch. India's batters came under immense criticism from all corners for their inability to play the spinning ball on a rank-turner and later, head coach Gautam Gambhir claimed that he wanted to similar pitch. To add salt to injury, captain Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury and has been ruled out of the IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025 in Guwahati. IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025: Rishabh Pant To Captain India In Guwahati As Neck Injury Rules Out Shubman Gill.

So, how will India's playing XI for the IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025 look like? Guwahati is set to host its first-ever Test match and with the talk around the Eden Gardens pitch, the track at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium is set to one to watch out for as well. There's one confirmed change in India's playing XI, with Rishabh Pant being the stand-in captain in place of Shubman Gill and additionally, another batter is likely to be included in India's playing XI.

Top-Order: KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will once again be the opening combination for India. The two could not make much of an impact in Kolkata and will need to come good at the top of the order. At number three, fans can expect a specialist batter in Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal instead of Washington Sundar. Although Washington Sundar looked good in the fourth innings in Kolkata, India are unlikely to persist with him at number three. India vs South Africa Best Fantasy Playing XI Prediction for 2nd Test 2025 and Who Will Win IND vs SA Test?

Middle-Order: With Shubman Gill absent, the middle order will face a stern task. Dhruv Jurel, who batted at number four in the second innings at Eden Gardens, will bat in that same position and he will be followed by stand-in captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was called up to join the Indian Test squad for the Guwahati Test, is likely to be picked in India's playing XI and should that happen, he will bat at number six, followed by Ravindra Jadeja.

All-Rounders: India's move of playing four spinners, three of them being all-rounders, surprised many. In Guwahati, India are likely to field three all-rounders--Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Axar Patel, despite impressing at Eden Gardens, is likely to sit out.

Bowlers: India's bowling combination is the part that everyone will look forward to. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will form the pace duo like how it was at the Eden Gardens in the IND vs SA Kolkata Test and Kuldeep Yadav will be the only specialist spin bowler in the playing XI. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are likely to be the other two spin bowling options in Guwahati.

India's Likely XI for IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2025 10:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).