Key points
- India Suffer Heaviest Home Defeat by 408 runs as Harmer, Jansen Lead Historic South African Triumph
- Simon Harmer produced record-breaking figures in India, taking 17 wickets at 8.94 to dismantle the hosts.
- Marco Jansen delivered a dream all-round series with 12 wickets, a fighting 93, and two spectacular diving catches.
- India’s WTC percentage dropped to 48.15%, putting their 2025–27 final hopes in jeopardy.
- South Africa climbed to 75% WTC points, completing a dominant away whitewash and rising to No. 2 in the table.
GUWAHATI: South Africa crushed India 2-0 to complete a historic Test series whitewash, handing the hosts their heaviest-ever defeat by runs. South Africa won by 408 runs at Guwahati. This is South Africa’s first Test series win in India in 25 years, and India’s second series defeat in just 12 months after enjoying 12 straight years without losing a home series.
Harmer and Jansen destroy India
South African spinner Simon Harmer was the star of the series. Once dropped after a poor tour in 2015, he returned to take 17 wickets at an average of just 8.94, the best figures by any bowler in a Test series in India. Harmer completely outclassed India’s spinners.
Marco Jansen supported him brilliantly with 12 wickets at 10.08, a fighting 93 with the bat, and one of the best catches of the series, running back, diving, and catching the ball one-handed. The moment summed up South Africa’s dominance.
India’s WTC hopes take a hit
India’s troubles began early when Shubman Gill injured himself just three balls into his bowling stint. India then went on to lose both Tests, falling to 48.15% points in the World Test Championship (WTC). Historically, teams need at least 60% to qualify for the final, leaving India in a tough position.
Meanwhile, South Africa, the defending champions, now have 75% WTC points, and captain Temba Bavuma remains unbeaten after 12 Tests in charge.
South Africa tighten their grip on Day 5
South Africa started the final day needing eight wickets. The pitch was offering turn and uneven bounce, perfect for Harmer and Jansen.
India’s overnight pair, Sai Sudharsan and Kuldeep Yadav, survived some early luck thanks to a no-ball and a dropped catch. But Harmer soon broke through. He bowled Kuldeep with a delivery that didn’t turn, then dismissed Dhruv Jurel in the same over.
Rishabh Pant, usually known for bold batting, fell while defending a slow offbreak that bounced more than expected. Aiden Markram took the catch, one of many, as he moved toward breaking the world record for most catches in a Test match.
Sudharsan survived till tea but fell soon after, again caught by Markram. Once Harmer returned, he quickly removed Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy, with Markram picking up yet another sharp catch.
Jadeja’s lone fight ends
Ravindra Jadeja was India’s only batter to look comfortable. He scored a half-century and played the sweep well, but was eventually stumped trying to attack Keshav Maharaj.
Jansen ends it with style
The final wicket fittingly belonged to Marco Jansen, who finished the series with another spectacular diving catch. His all-round brilliance — runs, wickets, pace, bounce, and acrobatics — summed up South Africa’s complete domination.
A series India will want to forget
South Africa outplayed India in all departments, broke their long-standing home record, climbed to the top of the WTC standings, and walked away with a historic 2-0 win.
A second home whitewash under Gambhir
The loss marked India’s second home series clean sweep in just over a year under Gambhir, highlighting a worrying slide in their once-impenetrable fortress conditions, but also reshaped the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
WTC standings: South Africa surge to No. 2, India drop to fifth
The 2-0 series win rocketed South Africa to second place in the WTC 2025–27 table with a PCT of 75%, behind only Australia, who boast a perfect record so far.
India slipped to fifth with a points percentage of 48.15, now trailing Pakistan.
Updated WTC 2025–27 Table (Top teams)
Position |
Team |
Matches |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
No Result |
Deducted |
Points |
PCT |
1 |
Australia |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
100 |
2 |
Sri Lanka |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
66.67 |
3 |
South Africa |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
66.67 |
4 |
India |
8 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
54.16 |
5 |
Pakistan |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
50 |
6 |
England |
6 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
26 |
36.11 |
7 |
Bangladesh |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
16.67 |
8 |
West Indies |
5 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
New Zealand |
0 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
West Indies remain winless after five Tests, while New Zealand are yet to begin their WTC campaign.
Match Summary
South Africa: 489 & 260/5d
India: 201 & 140
South Africa won by 408 runs
For India, the empty stands, the heavy defeat, and the dropped points leave many questions, and a long road ahead if they hope to reach the WTC final.
