Guwahati: India is facing an uphill battle to save the second Test, ending day four at a precarious 27 for 2 while chasing a mammoth target of 549 runs set by South Africa. The visitors require another 522 runs to win and level the two-match series.
India’s chase got off to a difficult start with both openers falling early. Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) was dismissed by pacer Marco Jansen in the seventh over. Soon after, KL Rahul (6) fell to spinner Simon Harmer in the 10th over, compounding India’s woes.
At the close of play, Sai Sudharsan (2 not out off 25 balls) and night watchman Kuldeep Yadav (4 not out off 22 balls) were at the crease, tasked with resisting the potent South African attack on the final day.
The day belonged to the Proteas batters, particularly Tristan Stubbs, who narrowly missed a century (94 runs off 180 balls), and Tony de Zorzi (49 off 68 balls). The duo built a crucial 101-run partnership, effectively defying India’s spin attack after Ravindra Jadeja (4/62) and Washington Sundar (1/67) managed early breakthroughs. South Africa declared their second innings at 260 for 5, leaving India with a mountain of runs to climb to avoid a series defeat.
