India had a terrible batting collapse on Day 3 of the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati, which left them reeling under the control of the visitors. India were bowled out for only 201, behind South Africa’s first-innings total of 489 by a daunting 288 runs.
Hope had flared quickly during the morning session. With the goal of setting a groundwork, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul returned following tea. However, South African bowler Simon Harmer broke through and eventually dismissed Jaiswal for 58, hitting 50 in 85 balls.
Soon after this, Keshav Maharaj delivered to send KL Rahul back to the pavilion, scoring just 22 runs. Marco Jasen stepped out to lead South Africa; he picked four wickets in the post-tea session, further tearing through the Indian order. The mounting stress had caused the Indian team to fall to 142/7 in 52 overs by mid-afternoon.
The question becomes whether India can recover from this bottom. Such jumbo failures usually reveal more fundamental flaws in shot selection, tone, or maybe leadership.
The challenge is great and urgent since almost 300 runs are yet required just to avoid an innings defeat. Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar, who had little optimism following lunch, have a lot of work ahead if India is to avoid catastrophe.
In the test Day 2 match, Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets and delivered a brilliant spell that broke the opposition’s momentum and briefly shifted control back to India. It is a huge challenge for India to stop South Africa, and once again, only some magic from Kuldeep Yadav can change the situation.
Led by openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram, South Africa safely navigated the final overs of Day 3 to end their second innings at 26/0, extending their general lead to 314 runs in a startling reversal.
Two days left, the game now heavily tips in favour of South Africa. Unless for a miraculous recovery, India could be facing a series whitewash, their batters’ confidence broken and their campaign hanging by a thread.
