South Africa's Bowling Coach Comments on Guwahati Test Pitch Conditions

South Africa's bowling coach, Piet Botha, has expressed cautious optimism regarding the pitch conditions for the upcoming second Test in Guwahati. The match, set to take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, will commence on Saturday, with India trailing 0-1 in the two-match series after a narrow defeat in Kolkata.

Botha recently inspected the Guwahati pitch and noted that while early observations indicate it may offer more favourable conditions for batting compared to the previous Test, uncertainties remain regarding whether the grass on the surface will be trimmed before the match begins.

"As far as the pitch is concerned, obviously I had a look at it this morning, it’s still two days to go. So it’s difficult to predict if they will actually shave off more grass or not. That will obviously make a difference," Botha stated during a press briefing. He added that initial assessments suggest a potentially good batting surface, although the final outcome depends on the pitch preparation leading up to the game.

Botha detailed that the pitch might provide a solid batting foundation initially, with the possibility of spin becoming more significant as the match progresses. "What we have heard is that it seems to be a good batting track up front, and spin comes into picture late. But we’ll have to wait and see," he remarked.

In an adjustment to the traditional schedule, play will begin 30 minutes earlier than usual, at 9 a.m. local time. Botha anticipates that moisture levels could affect the game's initial phase, particularly with the new ball. "The game’s starting at 9 o’clock… there will be a bit more moisture, so I think in terms of the first hour, the new ball should play a role. For how long, we are not sure, we’ll have to see," he explained.

Decisions at the toss will hinge entirely on the pitch's appearance on match day. Botha noted, "If the wicket is good to bat on, then batting first is a good option, but if the track is like the one in Kolkata, then it hardly matters."

The South African team is also closely monitoring the fitness of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who missed the first Test due to a rib injury. Botha confirmed that Rabada is under medical evaluation, with a decision on his participation expected within the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, off-spinner Simon Harmer, who had a minor injury concern during the Kolkata Test, is anticipated to take part in the upcoming match.

The focus on pitch conditions comes amid scrutiny of India’s support staff following their defeat in Kolkata. Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, defended head coach Gautam Gambhir, stating, "No one wanted it (pitch) to be like this."

As the series resumes, India aims to secure a victory in Guwahati to avoid a home series loss against South Africa, making the outcome of this match crucial for both teams.