GUWAHATI: A sensational six-for from Marco Jansen handed South Africa a commanding position in the second India–South Africa Test as the visitors secured a massive first-innings lead on Day 3 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Resuming at 9/0 in reply to South Africa’s formidable 489 all out, India struggled to build momentum and were dismissed for a modest 201 in 83.5 overs, falling short by 288 runs.
India’s promising start cut short
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul offered early stability with a 65-run partnership, but Keshav Maharaj broke the stand by removing Rahul for a patient 22 off 63 balls.
Jaiswal then added 30 runs with debutant Sai Sudharsan, before both fell to off-spinner Simon Harmer in quick succession, leaving India reeling at 96/3.
Jaiswal top-scored with a composed 58 off 97 balls, hitting seven boundaries and one six.
Jansen runs through India’s middle-order
South Africa’s left-arm quick Marco Jansen turned the game sharply in his side’s favour with a fiery middle-order burst, claiming four wickets and reducing India to 122/7.
His relentless accuracy and bounce proved too challenging as India’s batting crumbled under pressure.
Sundar, Kuldeep offer late resistance
All-rounder Washington Sundar counter-attacked with a gritty 48 off 92 deliveries, while Kuldeep Yadav contributed 19, as the duo stitched together a crucial 72-run stand for the eighth wicket.
However, Harmer eventually dismissed Sundar, and Jansen returned to complete the innings, finishing with sensational figures of 6/48 in 19.5 overs, his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Harmer complemented Jansen with 3/64, while Maharaj picked up one wicket.
South Africa begin strong in second innings
With a healthy lead of 288 runs, South Africa’s openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton batted confidently in the final overs of Day 3, guiding their side to 26/0 in eight overs.
The Proteas extended their overall advantage to a massive 314 runs, setting the stage for a possible match-defining lead on Day 4.
As the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) holders, South Africa now look poised to set India a daunting target on the penultimate day.
