The second Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a cornerstone of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, got underway amid electric anticipation at Guwahati’s 40,000-capacity venue, a ground renowned for its true bounce and occasional lateral nip in the first hour. India, still smarting from a crushing 10-wicket loss in Visakhapatnam where their batting twice capitulated for under 150, handed Pant the reins in a nod to his rapid rise: the 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, with 2,300 Test runs