Even-stevens on Day One in Guwahati as Stubbs, Bavuma show character

Proteas batter Tristan Stubbs top-scored on the opening day of the second Test against India at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. 

When the playing XI was announced by Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma during the toss, questions were posed about Tristan Stubbs' inclusion. 

After all, the right-handed batter had been off-form since his last century in Durban a year ago, as he had scored only three double-digit scores in 13 innings. 

However, Bavuma and coach Shukri Conrad showed faith in the 25-year-old's talents, including him in the playing XI of the second Test. 

Stubbs showed character and determination against a confident India bowling attack that was led by fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

The right-handed batter absorbed pressure when it was required and shifted gears when opportunities arose, as he top-scored with a 112-ball 49 on Saturday. 

Temba Bavuma provided great support as the pair put together 84 runs for the third wicket, the highest partnership in the two-match series thus far. 

Bavuma scored 41 off 92 deliveries before spinner Ravindra Jadeja (1/30) had him caught at mid-off by Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

Stubbs followed shortly after, courtesy of Kuldeep Yadav (3/48). Wiaan Mulder (13), having been down the batter order at No. three, lasted only 18 balls before he also became Yadav's third victim.

Tony de Zorzi (28) showed before he was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj late in the day. In the first session of the day, Aiden Markram (38) and Ryan Rickelton (35) put on an 82-run opening stand, setting a solid foundation for the Proteas. 

Earlier, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma called correctly at the toss, winning his second of the series and opting to bat first.

Surprisingly, coach Shukri Conrad and Bavuma made only one change to the XI that took the field at Eden Gardens last week. All-rounder Corbin Bosch, despite having had a stellar Test in Kolkata, was dropped for spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy.

There also seems to have been a slight adjustment to the batting order, with Wiaan Mulder pushed down and Tristan Stubbs elevated to number three.

In the India camp, injured captain Shubman Gill has been replaced by Sai Sudharsan, while spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel makes way for seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Rishabh Pant took over the captaincy, becoming the 38th India Test captain.

Day One Scorecard

South Africa: 247/6 (Tristan Stubbs 49, Temba Bavuma 41; Kuldeep Yadav 3/48)