Guwahati, November 23, 2025 - As India grapples with South Africa's imposing first-innings total of 489 on day two of the second Test in Guwahati, former India captain Ravi Shastri has urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rishabh Pant to consider a bold strategy: an early declaration, even if it means trailing the Proteas. Shastri's advice comes with India already facing an uphill battle to level the series after South Africa's strong showing with the bat.
Senuran Muthusamy's century (109) and Marco Jansen's 93 significantly contributed to South Africa's formidable score, extending their dominance on a pitch that Kuldeep Yadav described as a "road". India ended the day on 9/0, trailing by a massive 480 runs.
Shastri, known for his aggressive and proactive approach to the game, suggests that India cannot afford to "sit and wait". He believes that to force a win, India needs to takecalculated risks, even if it means potentially losing the match. According to Shastri, India might consider declaring their innings around 400, thus conceding a lead of approximately 80-100 runs, to try and bowl out South Africa in the fourth innings.
"Tactically, India will have to take a call tomorrow," Shastri stated during his commentary. "See how they get through the new ball, and then take the game forward, and force a win in this Test match. They'll have to call the shots, which means you might even want to declare behind. You've got to take those chances. You can't wait to bat and go past 489; that'll take a long time. Might have to even declare 80, 90, or 100 runs behind and see how it goes".
This approach, however, is not without its risks. A lot hinges on the behavior of the pitch. If it doesn't deteriorate and offer significant spin, South Africa could have a distinct advantage in the final innings. India's recent struggles while chasing targets also add another layer of complexity to the decision.
The pressure is mounting on Gautam Gambhir, who has already faced criticism after losing a home series. Another series loss could raise questions about his position. Consequently, Gambhir might prefer a more conservative approach, aiming for a draw rather than risking a defeat.
Shastri's perspective is that a draw is as good as a loss for India in this situation. He advocates for a mindset where the team must be willing to lose in order to win, urging Gambhir and Pant to think outside the box and seize the initiative.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Gambhir and Pant. They must assess the conditions, evaluate the risks and rewards, and determine the best course of action for India to try and salvage the Test match and keep the series alive. The coming hours will be crucial in shaping the fate of the match and potentially the series.
