India found itself ruing a major missed opportunity during the South Africa vs India Test in Guwahati, as a simple catch went down at a crucial moment. KL Rahul, one of India’s safest fielders, put down a regulation chance off Aiden Markram—just when Jasprit Bumrah had the batter under severe pressure. Markram was struggling to settle, beaten time and again by Bumrah’s immaculate lengths and relentless probing around the off-stump. India had begun building genuine momentum, and the dismissal looked inevitable.
But when Markram edged one straight to Rahul and the ball slipped through, the disappointment across the Indian camp was unmistakable. Jasprit Bumrah’s reaction captured the gravity of the moment.
The pacer froze in disbelief, briefly covering his face as frustration took over. Known for his composure, Bumrah’s visible disappointment told its own story. He understood better than anyone that this was the kind of early breakthrough India desperately needed, especially on a surface offering just enough for the bowlers.
WATCH – Mitchell Starc’s Stunning Catch Leaves Zak Crawley Shocked On Day 1
That dropped catch didn’t just cost a wicket; it threatened to shift the rhythm of the innings, handing South Africa an escape exactly when they were on the back foot. The day had begun with South African captain Temba Bavuma winning the toss and choosing to bat first in the second Test at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium—a venue hosting its first-ever Test match, making the occasion historic for Indian cricket.
KL Rahul dropped the catch of A Markram 🫣#TeamIndia #IndvSA #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/yA8MzTtkWJ
— MEHRA (@DevMehra790) November 22, 2025
For India, the stakes were already high. Trailing 1-0 in a short two-match series, Rohit Sharma’s side had no room for error. A loss here would mark another back-to-back home series defeat, continuing an unwanted four-match losing streak against SENA nations—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin Slams Critics After 19 Wickets Fall On Ashes Day 1 in Perth
With Shubman Gill recovering from a neck injury, the captaincy duties fell to stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant, who called it “a proud moment” while thanking the BCCI for the opportunity. Pant spoke confidently about the team environment, stressing self-focus and collective improvement as India looked to bounce back. He acknowledged Gill’s eagerness to play but admitted the medical team had not cleared him yet. India made two changes, bringing in Nitish Reddy for Gill and Sai Sudharsan for Axar Patel, reinforcing both the top order and middle-order flexibility.
