GUWAHATI: India ended Day 4 in deep trouble at 27/2 while chasing a monumental 549-run target set by South Africa in the second Test in Guwahati on Tuesday. The hosts, trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, suffered early blows that left their chances of leveling the contest hanging by a thread.
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul departed within the first 10 overs, exposing India’s middle order to a fierce South African attack under fading light. Jaiswal (13) fell to pacer Marco Jansen in the seventh over, while Rahul (6) was undone by off-spinner Simon Harmer in the 10th. At stumps, Sai Sudharsan (2) and night watchman Kuldeep Yadav (4) were battling to survive, with India still needing a daunting 522 runs for victory.
Earlier in the day, South Africa consolidated their dominant position thanks to a composed 94 from Tristan Stubbs and a fluent 49 from Tony de Zorzi. The pair blunted India’s spin trio effectively, helping the visitors reach 269/5 before declaring. Ravindra Jadeja was India’s standout bowler with figures of 4-62, offering some resistance on an otherwise challenging day.
With South Africa firmly in control and India facing a near-impossible chase, the final day promises an uphill battle for the hosts as they attempt to salvage the series.
