The second Test in Guwahati has firmly tilted in favour of the visitors, leaving Team India with a near-impossible task heading into the final day. By the time stumps were drawn on Day 4, South Africa had placed themselves in a prime position to secure their first Test series victory on Indian soil in 25 years.
The day began with South Africa looking to build on their advantage. While many expected an aggressive declaration, the visitors opted for a cautious approach, batting for nearly five hours to grind down the Indian bowlers. Their strategy ensured that India was set a massive, record-breaking target of over 500 runs. Tristan Stubbs was the star with the bat, frustrating the Indian attack with a composed knock. He fell agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for 94, but his partnership with Tony de Zorzi, who utilized sweep shots effectively to counter the spin, took the game away from the hosts.
RavindraJadeja and Washington Sundar worked hard, bowling long spells and picking up wickets, including that of Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton. However, they struggled to induce collapses against defensive batting.
The complexion of the game changed drastically when India came out to bat. The pitch, which seemed docile while South Africa batted, suddenly appeared venomous. Marco Jansen abandoned the traditional swing approach and unleashed a barrage of bouncers. His aggressive strategy paid off immediately as he targeted YashasviJaiswal. The young opener, struggling against the short ball, fell to his habitual cut shot, a stroke that has increasingly become his undoing in Test cricket.
Spin also played a crucial role as Simon Harmer continued his excellent form. He produced a magical delivery to breach KL Rahul’s defense, bowling him through the gate. B SaiSudharsan survived a very close LBW appeal, saved only by the "umpire's call" on ball tracking.
India ended the day at 27 for 2, still needing a colossal 522 runs. With the light fading early in Guwahati, the hosts have to survive the entire fifth day with just eight wickets in hand to avoid a humiliating whitewash.
