South Africa Eight Wickets Away From Historic Whitewash Against India

KEY POINTS

Tristan Stubbs’ composed 94 powered South Africa to a commanding total of 549.
India collapsed early in their chase, losing both openers to slump to 27-2 at stumps.
With a 522-run mountain to climb, India appear headed toward a 2-0 series whitewash.

GUWAHATI, India: South Africa edged closer to sealing a 2-0 series whitewash against India as Tristan Stubbs’ steady 94, backed by a disciplined batting effort, powered the visitors to a massive 549 on Day 4 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

India’s second innings began poorly, with both openers dismissed early, leaving them at 27-2 by stumps and still trailing by 522 heading into the final day.

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 13 before edging Jansen behind, while KL Rahul followed soon after, bowled by Simon Harmer.

The Proteas adopted a steady, controlled approach, gradually stretching their lead beyond 500 before declaring late in the final session.

After closing their second innings at 260-5, India’s reply faltered immediately, as both openers fell early. The hosts finished the day at 27-2, facing a daunting 522-run chase on the final day to avoid defeat.

Starting the morning at 26-0, Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram put together a composed stand that crossed 50, but despite disciplined spells from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar, India struggled for early breakthroughs.

Rickelton eventually departed for 35, edging Ravindra Jadeja to the slips, while Stubbs joined Markram in a cautious partnership that lasted nearly 10 overs. Jadeja struck again soon after, removing Markram for 29.

South Africa dipped to 77-3 when Temba Bavuma gloved Sundar to leg slip. Sundar later missed a chance to dismiss Stubbs, but Tony de Zorzi shifted the momentum sharply, launching a six off Sundar and partnering Stubbs to take the score to 107-3 at Tea, with 81 runs added in the session.

Early in the second session, the lead crossed 400 as de Zorzi and Stubbs continued to bat patiently, waiting for the pitch to deteriorate further.

Jadeja eventually broke the stand, trapping de Zorzi lbw for 49. Wiaan Mulder took over the scoring duties, while Stubbs raised a gritty half-century off 129 balls. By Lunch, South Africa had reached 220/4, extending their lead to 508.

After the break, Stubbs began accelerating, reaching the 80s with well-timed boundaries and moving into the 90s with a six off Jadeja.

His innings ended just shy of a century, bowled while attempting a slog sweep, giving Jadeja his fourth wicket.

South Africa declared immediately afterward, setting India a massive target of 549, the second-highest fourth-innings chase in a home Test, after Australia’s 543 at Nagpur in 2004.

India’s chase began poorly. Marco Jansen troubled Yashasvi Jaiswal with aggressive short-pitched bowling, eventually removing him for 13 with an edge behind. KL Rahul soon followed, bowled by Simon Harmer.

Sai Sudharsan and Kuldeep Yadav survived to stumps, but with India at 27-2 and still needing 522, a series sweep for South Africa appears all but certain.