Although there were a few 80-run stands and some encouraging starts, India concluded the first day of the Guwahati Test with a small lead.
While all seven of the top hitters scored in double figures, only Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma went over 40 as India made frequent cuts to prevent South Africa from escaping. After the first day of play at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the visitors were at 247/6 with three wickets from Kuldeep Yadav and one each from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja.
South Africa started well after deciding to bat, as their openers added 82 runs. When Aiden Markram was on 4, KL Rahul knocked him down at second slip off Bumrah, giving him an early respite. Together with Ryan Rickelton, he took advantage of the miss to assist South Africa add 34 goals without causing any harm in the first hour. As their relationship developed, the two became more self-assured and established regular boundaries. As the South African openers reached their second half-century stand in this series, Nitish Reddy, one of two players selected for India in this match, did not have the best of beginnings, scoring 21 in his first four overs.
Although there was some spin and bounce available, the openers handled it nicely and appeared ready to lead South Africa through the opening session unscathed. But as the session was coming to a finish, Bumrah returned and, just before tea, caught Markram (38) inside-edging onto the stumps and trying to drive away from his body. South Africa was at 82/1 going into the tea break as a result.
Rickelton edged to the ‘keeper to leave for 35 as Kuldeep opened the next set at the beginning of the second session. However, Bavuma and Stubbs demonstrated their application to hold the Indian bowlers at bay for the remainder of the session, presenting India with yet another uncooperative partnership. By making sure they capitalised on the slack deliveries and skilfully rotated the strike, the two also prevented the scoreboard from stagnating. Bavuma hit two consecutive fours off Siraj in an over, then Stubbs hit a six off Kuldeep because he wasn’t scared to go aerial even though a fielder was positioned in the deep.
Replays showed that the ball was drifting down when Bavuma missed a sweep off Jadeja, costing India a review. In his 20th innings as captain, Bavuma reached 1000 Test runs, making him the second-fastest South African player overall. By taking South Africa to 156/2 at lunch, Bavuma and Stubbs both reached the 30s, extending their partnership above 70.
After the interval, Stubbs and Bavuma got off to a good start, each hitting a boundary. However, the South African captain chose to throw the charge to Jadeja, who lofted it to deep mid-off, ending their 84-run partnership. With a four off Bumrah and a six against Jadeja, Stubbs approached a half-century. However, Kuldeep ended his stay on 49, leaving South Africa at 187/4 after finding the outside edge. Wiaan Mulder attempted to go over the top with a catch to mid off, but Kuldeep struck again, making it 201/5.
Despite losing wickets quickly, Tony de Zorzi made sure South Africa kept adding to their total by hitting a four and a six off Kuldeep in an over. Senuran Muthusamy, who replaced Corbin Bosch, managed a few boundaries off Washington Sundar and provided solid support from the other end. But in the final over before Stumps, de Zorzi fell to the second new ball after prodding at a delivery that sailed away from Siraj, ending yet another promising knock abruptly.
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