India’s batting came apart on the third day of the second Test in Guwahati, leaving the home side staring at a series defeat against South Africa. What hurt India most was their batters’ poor shot selection. Sai Sudharsan was careless, Dhruv Jurel was indiscreet and Rishabh Pant was plain irresponsible as the innings fell apart in a heap.This was on the same surface that Kuldeep Yadav had just a day earlier likened to a “road.” Yet India were bowled out for 201 by Marco Jansen, who at 6 feet 8 inches kept banging it in short and walked away with 6 for 48. This came a day after he smashed 93 with the bat, making it a match he will remember.
By stumps, South Africa were 26 for no loss in their second innings, stretching the overall lead to 314. The Proteas would look to set India a target in excess of 450, with 120 overs in hand for their bowlers. India, meanwhile, are left hoping for time, weather, or luck.South Africa chose not to enforce the follow-on, preferring to bat again despite the 288-run lead. From the tourists’ perspective, the chance for a first Test series win in India since Hansie Cronje’s team in 2000 is within reach.India had started the day with some stability. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58 and KL Rahul’s 22 formed the only phase that resembled control. Both fell to the only two balls from spinners that lifted awkwardly, and once they went, the slide was rapid: 95 for 1 to 122 for 7. Sudharsan (15), Jurel (0) and Pant (7) fell within 13 balls. These dismissals will not make pleasant viewing in the dressing room. This was a pitch that needed normal cricket. The spinners, after those two early wickets, hardly influenced anything.The brief fight came from Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Sundar made 48 off 92 balls, and Kuldeep hung in for 19 off 134 deliveries. Their partnership of 62 in almost 35 overs was India’s only period of resistance.South Africa have time and control. A 2-0 scoreline is now in their hands. For India, even a draw would feel like an escape.
