New Delhi: The Men in Blue will take on South Africa in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on November 22. India will look to level the series in Guwahati, which is hosting its first-ever Test match.

Rishabh Pant will lead the team in the absence of regular captain Shubman Gill, who was ruled out of the match due to a neck spasm. He was formally released from the squad on Friday after failing to recover from the injury, which he suffered while batting on day 2 of the first Test in Kolkata.

Gill was discharged from the hospital on Sunday and travelled to Guwahati with the team three days later. But the Indian captain missed the two practice sessions of India. He will now head to Mumbai for further assessment of his injury, confirmed the BCCI.

Team India lost the first Test by 30 runs in Kolkata. The visitors bowled out for 159 runs on the opening day after opting to bat. But their bowlers delivered a great performance as the Men in Blue only managed to take a slender lead of 30 runs.

The Proteas were reduced to 93/7 in the second innings, and Team India was the favourite to win the match. But, captain Temba Bavuma played a great knock against the Indian spinners to become the only batter to smash a half-century in the match.

His brilliant knock ensured that the visitors added 60 runs to the overnight score and set India a target in excess of 120, which proved difficult as Gill and Co. bundled out for just 93 runs.

‘I’m really proud that BCCI has given me this opportunity’: Pant

Rishabh Pant will become India’s 38th Test captain in the second match against South Africa. He said that a one-off match is not the best scenario as a captain, but he’s really proud that BCCI has given him this opportunity.

“You know, whenever you’re leading your country, it’s the proudest moment. To generalise, I want to be someone who gives that freedom and I want people and players to learn around and make the right decision for the team eventually,” Pant added

The wicketkeeper-batter also informed that he was officially asked to lead the team on Thursday night. He will become only second wicketkeeper after MS Dhoni to lead the Indian team in Test cricket.