 "India's Yashasvi Jaiswal walks back to the pavilion after getting dismissed on 13 shortly before stumps on Day 4 as Marco Jansen celebrates with his teammates in the background. AP")
India’s chances of securing a series-leveling victory over South Africa in Guwahati suffered a massive blow after the hosts were bundled out for a modest 201, conceding a massive 288-run first innings lead in the process.
The Proteas had posted a massive 489 on the board after skipper Temba Bavuma opted to bat on what was a much better surface at the Barsapara Stadium compared to Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. And to their credit, they made the wicket appear a minefield when it was the Rishabh Pant-led Indian team’s turn to bat on the third day.
Proteas on verge of completing another 2-0 sweep in India
And instead of enforcing the follow-on, the South Africans chose to bat again, ending Day 3 on 26 for no loss and batting for more than two sessions on the penultimate day to decimate whatever little hopes India had left of sharing the series honours.
Powered by Tristan Stubbs’ 94 and his crucial partnerships with Tony de Zorzi (49) and Wiaan Mulder (35 not out) worth 101 and 82 respectively, South Africa declared on 260/5 in 78.3 overs. Bavuma signalled his intent to declare soon as Mulder was cleaned up by Ravindra Jadeja, missing out on a century in the process.
And while openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul had begun on a promising note during India’s first innings with a 65-run opening stand, they failed to bat through the final hour of the fourth day’s play.
Jaiswal perished for 13 after getting caught-behind off left-arm quick Marco Jansen’s bowling while KL Rahul was cleaned up by veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer, who had starred in the 30-run victory in Kolkata with a match haul of 8/51 (4/30 and 4/21).
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B Sai Sudharsan was batting on 2 after facing 25 deliveries at the close of play, with nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (4 off 22 balls) for company.
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View AllAshwin and others react to South Africa’s domination of India in Guwahati
Here’s how experts, including former cricketers, as well as fans reacted to India getting outplayed by South Africa for the fourth day in a row in Guwahati: