South Africa continued their dominance in the second Test at Guwahati as the hosts, India, struggled once again with both bat and ball. By the fourth day, South Africa had strengthened their position massively, taking their second-innings score to 148/3 and extending their lead to over 430 runs. Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi remained at the crease, building a crucial partnership that crossed 50 runs and pushed India further into trouble. Washington Sundar provided India with a brief moment of relief by dismissing South African captain Temba Bavuma. Sundar bowled the third ball of the 32nd over and got Bavuma caught at leg slip by Nitish Reddy. Bavuma managed only 3 runs from 11 balls. Interestingly, one ball earlier, Sai Sudharsan had dropped Bavuma at short leg, but the reprieve didn’t last long. Before Sundar’s strike, Ravindra Jadeja had already shaken South Africa’s top order. Jadeja bowled a beautiful delivery to clean up Aiden Markram on 29, a dismissal that left Markram completely beaten. Jadeja released the ball from wide of the crease, pitching it on a good length between middle and leg, forcing Markram to misjudge the line. The ball skimmed the top of the off stump, leading to a classic bowled dismissal. Earlier, Jadeja also dismissed Ryan Rickelton for 35, providing India their first breakthrough of the innings. Despite these three wickets, India still remained far behind in the contest. South Africa’s lead went past 400 with ease as Stubbs and de Zorzi continued to rotate the strike and punish loose deliveries. The pair added their fifty-run partnership within 90 balls, showing great composure on a surface helping both spin and pace. The morning session of Day 4 belonged to India to some extent, as they picked up three important wickets while conceding only 81 runs. However, South Africa’s overall lead surged to 395 by lunch, leaving India with almost impossible odds of making a comeback. On Day 3, India had collapsed for just 201 runs in their first innings. Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fighting half-century, the batting unit failed miserably. South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen destroyed India’s innings with a sensational six-wicket haul. The visitors looked in supreme control and opted against enforcing the follow-on despite having a massive 314-run lead. By stumps on Day 3, they had reached 26/0, with Rickelton and Markram looking comfortable. South Africa resumed Day 4 at 26/0. Rickelton, who had earlier survived some tight bowling spells, eventually fell to a brilliant catch by Mohammed Siraj at extra cover. Jadeja pitched the ball on a good length outside off stump, drawing Rickelton into a false shot. The ball flew in the air, and Siraj leapt beautifully to complete the catch. Rickelton scored 35 off 64 balls. India’s troubles in Test cricket seem to be increasing. After struggling against spin in Kolkata, where 12 of their 18 wickets fell to spinners, they are now facing difficulties against pace in Guwahati. In the Kolkata Test, India had failed to chase even 124 runs, getting bowled out for 93. In Guwahati, the challenge is different, but the outcome appears headed in the same disappointing direction. With South Africa’s lead already beyond 430 and Stubbs–de Zorzi settled strongly, India now face a huge mountain to climb. The visitors are on the verge of sealing another convincing win unless India produce a miracle with the bat.
Markram Clean Bowled, Bavuma Falls to Sundar as South Africa Tightens Grip on Guwahati Test
