South Africa handed India a humiliating 408-run defeat in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday (Nov 26), sealing a 2–0 clean sweep and condemning the hosts to their heaviest Test defeat by runs in history. Chasing a mammoth target of 549 on the final day, India were bundled out for just 140, collapsing against South Africa’s relentless spin and seam attack.
Resuming Day 5 under immense pressure, India’s faint hopes of survival evaporated quickly as wickets fell at regular intervals despite brief resistance from the middle order. Left-arm spinner Simon Harmer was the chief destroyer, running through the Indian line-up to finish with a six-wicket haul in the second innings and complete a match-defining performance. Only Ravindra Jadeja offered notable resistance with a fighting 54, but his dismissal effectively ended India’s challenge as the lower order folded swiftly.
South Africa’s dominance was built on strong batting displays in both innings and disciplined bowling throughout the match. The visitors posted 489 in their first innings, powered by a superb century from Senuran Muthusamy and key contributions from the middle and lower order, before declaring their second innings at 260 for 5 to set India an improbable 549-run target. India, who were bowled out for 201 in their first innings, failed to apply themselves again in the final chase and never looked close to challenging the total.
The defeat surpassed India’s previous heaviest loss by runs—a 342-run defeat to Australia in Nagpur in 2004. The margin of defeat starkly illustrated the gulf between the two teams across five days of one-sided cricket.
For India, the series loss represented their second consecutive home whitewash in 12 months, raising serious questions about the team’s direction during this transitional phase. The absence of injured opener Shubman Gill exposed batting vulnerabilities that touring teams have ruthlessly exploited.
South Africa’s victory also significantly boosted their World Test Championship standings, moving them to second place while India slipped to fifth. As the Proteas celebrated their historic achievement, India faced uncomfortable questions about selection, tactics, and mental resilience—a dramatic reversal for a team that had dominated home conditions for over a decade.
Final Scores:
South Africa 1st innings: 489 all out
India 1st innings: 201 all out
South Africa 2nd innings: 260 for 5 declared
India 2nd innings: 140 all out
