The Indus Zone Media Desk | Published: Nov 24, 2025 | IND vs SA 2nd Test, Day 3
South Africa took complete control of the second Test in Guwahati after India suffered another major batting collapse on Day 3. With the visitors already leading the series 1-0, a rare home series defeat for India now looks highly likely.
After bowling India out for 201, South Africa ended the day at 26/0 in their second innings, extending the overall lead to 314 runs with two full days still to play.
Jansen Dominates With a Six-Wicket Haul
South Africa’s left-arm quick Marco Jansen delivered a match-defining spell, finishing with 6/48.
After scoring a crucial 93 in the first innings, Jansen’s hostile short-pitched bowling tore through India’s middle and lower order.
India had started strongly at 65/0, but KL Rahul’s wicket triggered a dramatic collapse. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a fluent fifty, also fell soon after, and the innings rapidly fell apart.
India’s Batting Collapse: From 65/0 to 201 All Out
Key points from India’s disappointing batting show:
Rahul edged Keshav Maharaj, sparking the collapse.
Jaiswal was caught off Simon Harmer shortly after reaching his half-century.
Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, and Nitish Reddy all fell to poor shots or Jansen’s bounce.
India slipped from 65/0 to 102/4, and later to 122/7.
The batting frailties seen in Kolkata resurfaced once again, leaving India under immense pressure.
Sundar & Kuldeep Show Resistance
The lone bright spot in India’s innings came from Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, who added a gritty 72-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Sundar mixed defence with smart aggression, hitting a six and three fours.
Kuldeep produced an ultra-patient 19 off 134 balls — the slowest innings by an Indian batter this series.
Though the partnership slowed South Africa’s progress briefly, Harmer broke the stand, and Jansen quickly wrapped up the tail.
South Africa Decline Follow-On, Extend Lead Comfortably
Despite a 288-run lead, captain Temba Bavuma chose not to enforce the follow-on.
Openers Ryan Rickelton (13)* and Aiden Markram (12)* added 26 without loss, batting confidently on a surface with only minor wear.
India missed a crucial chance when KL Rahul dropped Markram at slip, adding to the frustration.
India Face Massive Uphill Battle
With a huge deficit and the pitch expected to deteriorate further, India’s chances of saving the Test — let alone levelling the series — look extremely slim.
Only Jaiswal and Sundar showed any notable application. The rest of the batting line-up faltered against disciplined bowling, raising concerns ahead of future home assignments.
South Africa are now favourites to seal a historic Test series win on Indian soil, something that would have seemed unthinkable just a year ago.
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