Marco Jansen produced a devastating all-round performance as South Africa seized complete control of the second Test, bowling India out for a paltry 201 before extending their overall lead to 314 runs by stumps on Day 3 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday (Nov 24).
The left-arm pacer’s sensational figures of 6 for 48 dismantled India’s batting lineup on a day that began with promise but descended into chaos for the hosts. Starting the day at 9 for no loss, India collapsed spectacularly from 95 for 1 to 122 for 7, effectively surrendering any hopes of mounting a comeback in the series.
Jansen, who had already tormented India with a blistering 93 in South Africa’s first innings total of 489, became only the third left-arm fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in India after Zaheer Khan and Mitchell Johnson. His ability to extract steep bounce and movement off the surface proved lethal throughout the morning and afternoon sessions.
India’s innings began positively with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul stitching together a 65-run opening partnership. Jaiswal looked fluent in compiling 58 off 97 balls, recording his first half-century against South Africa. However, disaster struck just before the tea break when India lost three wickets in quick succession.
The middle order crumbled under relentless South African pressure. KL Rahul managed 22, while Sai Sudharsan departed for 15. The most concerning dismissal came when captain Rishabh Pant, attempting an audacious slog sweep, edged behind for just 7 runs, leaving India reeling at 102 for 4 at tea.
The post-interval collapse continued as Dhruv Jurel (0), Ravindra Jadeja (6), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (10) fell cheaply. Aiden Markram produced a stunning one-handed diving catch at second slip to dismiss Reddy off Jansen’s bowling, exemplifying South Africa’s dominance in all departments.
With India staring at complete humiliation at 122 for 7, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav mounted a determined rearguard action. The pair added 72 runs for the eighth wicket, occupying the crease for nearly 35 overs to demonstrate that the pitch still offered little demons for batsmen willing to apply themselves.
Sundar played with admirable composure, scoring 48 off 92 balls with occasional attacking strokes, while Kuldeep showed remarkable patience, facing 134 deliveries for his 19 runs. Their resistance ended when spinner Simon Harmer deceived Sundar with flight just before the second new ball was taken, triggering the final collapse.
Jansen returned with the new cherry to complete his five-wicket haul by dismissing Kuldeep, before wrapping up the innings by having Jasprit Bumrah caught behind with a nasty bouncer. Harmer provided excellent support with 3 for 64.
South Africa, holding a massive 288-run first-innings lead, chose not to enforce the follow-on. Openers Ryan Rickelton (13 not out) and Aiden Markram (12 not out) safely negotiated eight overs before bad light brought an early end to proceedings, taking the overall lead to an imposing 314 runs.
The visitors are now perfectly positioned to bat India out of the match on Day 4 and secure a rare series victory in India. With two days remaining and the pitch showing no signs of deterioration, South Africa can afford to extend their lead before setting India an improbable fourth-innings target.
For India, facing a second consecutive home series defeat after losing to New Zealand 3-0 last year, the challenge appears insurmountable. The batting collapse raised serious questions about their approach and technique against quality pace bowling, particularly with the team missing key players like the injured Shubman Gill.
The hosts will need nothing short of a miracle to avoid defeat and keep the series alive, while South Africa smell their first series win in India since Hansie Cronje’s team triumphed in 2000.
DAY 3 SCORECARD – STUMPS
SOUTH AFRICA 1st Innings: 489 (151.1 overs)
Senuran Muthusamy 101, Marco Jansen 93, Kyle Verreynne 34, Temba Bavuma 41, Tristan Stubbs 49
India Bowling: Kuldeep Yadav 3-48, Jasprit Bumrah 1-38, Mohammed Siraj 1-59, Ravindra Jadeja 1-30
INDIA 1st Innings: 201 all out (83.5 overs)
Yashasvi Jaiswal 58 off 97 balls (7 fours, 1 six)
Washington Sundar 48 off 92 balls (5 fours)
KL Rahul 22 off 52 balls
Kuldeep Yadav 19 off 134 balls
Sai Sudharsan 15
Nitish Kumar Reddy 10
Rishabh Pant (c & wk) 7
Ravindra Jadeja 6
Dhruv Jurel 0
Jasprit Bumrah 5
Mohammed Siraj 2
Extras: 8
Fall of Wickets: 1-65 (KL Rahul), 2-94 (Yashasvi Jaiswal), 3-95 (Sai Sudharsan), 4-102 (Dhruv Jurel), 5-110 (Rishabh Pant), 6-117 (Nitish Kumar Reddy), 7-122 (Ravindra Jadeja), 8-194 (Washington Sundar), 9-194 (Kuldeep Yadav), 10-201 (Jasprit Bumrah)
South Africa Bowling:
Marco Jansen 19.5 overs – 6 wickets for 48 runs
Simon Harmer 24 overs – 3 wickets for 64 runs
Keshav Maharaj 23 overs – 1 wicket for 43 runs
Wiaan Mulder 12 overs – 0 wickets for 30 runs
Senuran Muthusamy 5 overs – 0 wickets for 8 runs
SOUTH AFRICA 2nd Innings: 26 for 0 (8 overs)
Ryan Rickelton 13 not out
Aiden Markram 12 not out
India Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-11-0, Mohammed Siraj 2-0-9-0, Ravindra Jadeja 1-0-3-0, Kuldeep Yadav 1-0-3-0
SOUTH AFRICA LEAD BY 314 RUNS
Match Details:
Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Toss: South Africa won and elected to bat
Umpires: Rod Tucker, Chris Gaffaney
Day 3 Status: South Africa dominating, lead by 314 runs with 10 wickets in hand
Series Status: South Africa lead 1-0 (won 1st Test by 30 runs in Kolkata)
