Guwahati’s Test debut begins on balanced note before Kuldeep tilts Day 1 India’s way

Contrary to the widespread perception on social media about the nature of pitch at the ACA Stadium, hosting its first ever Test match, it turned out to be another typical subcontinental first day wicket with the surface playing true to its nature, and the variable bounce from the pacers keeping the South African batters in check early on before the spinners played their part, with Kuldeep Yadav accounting for three wickets to restrict the Proteas to 247/6 at stumps.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

Unlike the fiery opening stand witnessed in Kolkata in the series opener, the unusual 9am in Guwahati initially aided the quicker bowlers even as the South African top order almost successfully negotiated the threat in the first two sessions before Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja exploited the conditions later in the day.

As former India skipper and head coach Anil Kumble predicted before the start of proceedings, “I don't see the pitch to be dangerous like Kolkata. It will be a good surface to bat on. Even if you look at the Ranji Trophy scores. It's red soil so it should last for four-five days.”

On Saturday, the proceedings began with the ceremonial ringing of the bell, freshly installed on the eve of the historic Test with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and president Mithun Manhas, signalling the start of play in the country’s newest and 30th Test centre. As part of the pre match ceremony, the two captains signed portraits of the ACA stadium, and a specially crafted gold coin created to mark the occasion was presented to both skippers.