South Africa dominate Day 4, India face uphill chase in Guwahati

India ended Day 4 at 27/2 chasing 549 against South Africa in the second Test at Guwahati. Tristan Stubbs scored 94 before the visitors declared at 260/5. Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets, but India face a daunting task

Guwahati: India closed Day 4 at 27/2 after South Africa set the hosts a daunting target of 549 runs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The Proteas maintained complete control throughout the day, stretching their dominance through disciplined batting and a standout 94 from Tristan Stubbs, eventually declaring at 260/5.

Marco Jansen continued his top form from the previous innings and gave his side the crucial breakthrough early in the final innings as he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal in the seventh over. The opener walked back after scoring 13 runs off 20 deliveries, leading to B Sai Sudharsan joining KL Rahul at the crease.

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However, the second-wicket partnership did not last long as Simon Harmer dismissed Rahul in the 10th over. Attempting to close his bat across the line, Rahul missed entirely and was bowled. With both openers gone, India faltered further.

Kuldeep Yadav was sent in as nightwatchman and remained unbeaten alongside Sudharsan at stumps.

The day began with South Africa resuming at 26/0, with openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram extending the score to 58. India’s spinners soon struck back. Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Rickelton for 35 and then removed Markram for 29 with a sharply turning delivery.

Washington Sundar supported Jadeja with a disciplined spell, varying his pace to curb South Africa’s scoring. He removed captain Temba Bavuma, who flicked a catch to leg slip. India’s energy in the field kept the visitors in check until tea, when South Africa reached 107/3.

The partnership between Tony de Zorzi and Stubbs then shifted momentum. Their confident stroke play drained India’s enthusiasm. Jadeja trapped de Zorzi lbw for 49, but Stubbs continued untroubled, adding a composed 94 before Bavuma declared at 260/5.

Brief Scores: South Africa 489 & 260/5d in 78.3 overs (Tristan Stubbs 94, Tony de Zorzi 49; Ravindra Jadeja 4/62) lead India 201 & 27/2 in 15.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 13, KL Rahul 6; Simon Harmer 1-1, Marco Jansen 1-14) by 521 runs.