Rabada missed out on the first Test in Kolkata after suffering a rib injury during a training session, and earlier this week, Lungi Ngidi was drafted into the squad as cover. As things turned out at Eden Gardens, the Proteas didn’t need their strike bowler as they pulled off a superb 30-run victory to go 1-0 up in the series. 

Still, having Rabada fit and firing is always a massive boost, and India know it too.

Kagiso Rabada. Photo: Cricinfo

Rabada did not participate in training on Thursday, just two days before the Test, and there are growing concerns that he may also miss the clash in Guwahati. Proteas bowling coach Piet Botha said they will make a definitive call on Friday once the medical team has completed further assessments.

“I’ll answer your second question first, Rabada is still being monitored by our medical staff,” Botha explained. “He obviously wasn’t at practice today, but we’ll make a call in the next 24 hours.”

While India have never hosted a men’s Test in Guwahati, the ground is one of the venues for the recent 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and has generally been known to offer good batting conditions. Botha noted that, based on the information gathered so far, the surface is expected to favour the batters early on before gradually bringing the spin bowlers into play.

“As far as the pitch is concerned, we had a look at it this morning. It’s still two days out, so it’s difficult to predict if they’ll cut more grass off or not. That will obviously make a difference,” he said. 

Corbin Bosch and Piet Botha. Photo: Cricinfo

“But from what we’ve heard, it tends to be a good batting wicket up front and becomes a spinning wicket later in the game. We’ll have to wait and see, maybe it starts turning earlier, like the previous Test surprised everyone.”

With the series on the line and uncertainty hanging over Rabada’s fitness, the Proteas could be in for another stern test of depth and resilience.

Saturday’s Test in Guwahati is scheduled to start at 05:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh