South Africa Near Historic Test Series Win in India as Guwahati Day Four Ends with India 27-2

Guwahati hosts a pivotal day four as South Africa tighten their grip on a potential first-ever Test series win in India in 25 years. After a strong first-innings showing, the visitors extended their lead and left India with a daunting target on the final day.

Second Test, Guwahati (day four of five)

South Africa 489 (Muthusamy 109; Kuldeep 4-115) & 260-5d (Stubbs 94; Jadeja 4-62)

India 201 (Jaiswal 58; Jansen 6-48) & 27-2 (Jaiswal 13; Harmer 1-1)

India need 522 runs to win

Scorecard

South Africa reached the day with a strong position after pushing their advantage beyond 500 at stumps. Muthusamy hit a composed 109 as SA posted 489 in their first innings, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets to strike early in the chase. The visitors then declared at 260-5 with Stubbs leading the late charge, scoring 94 and sharing important partnerships with Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him for 94, ending SA’s second innings on a high.

In reply, India suffered an immediate blow as Jaiswal edged Jansen behind for 58 and KL Rahul fell to Simon Harmer. Kuldeep Yadav batted to a watchful 4 before stumps, while Sai Sudharsan remained 6 not out as the hosts closed at 27-2, still trailing by 522 runs.

With a day to play, India face an uphill battle to avoid a second whitewash in three home Test series, and South Africa aim to close out the tour with a historic win in Indian soil.

Key Takeaways

• South Africa moved into a commanding position, putting India under pressure on day four in Guwahati.
• Stubbs anchored a late surge, pairing with de Zorzi and Mulder to push SA beyond 500 in the second innings.
• India face a daunting chase on the final day, with a 522-run target to overcome for a possible victory.
• The result would give South Africa their first Test series win in India in 25 years, reinforcing their momentum after Kolkata.

Expert analysis

Cricket analyst Samir Patel noted, "South Africa's patience and Stubbs's measuring innings shifted the balance decisively, leaving India with a nearly insurmountable chase on day five."

Summary

Heading into the final day, South Africa hold the initiative after a disciplined performance with bat and ball. India must bat through the fifth day to avoid a home series defeat, while SA eye a historic milestone on Indian soil.

South Africa's patient, disciplined approach in Guwahati places them on the cusp of a historic Test series win in India. BBC Sport