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Detailed Preview: Day 5 – India Chasing History to Avert Series Defeat
Day five of the second and final Test between India and South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is poised for a dramatic conclusion. South Africa holds a commanding position, requiring only eight wickets to secure a historic 2-0 series sweep on Indian soil.
The day’s play is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM Local Time (IST) / 3:30 AM GMT.
The State of Play: A Record-Breaking Target
South Africa declared their second innings at 260 for 5, setting India an astronomical target of 549 runs—the highest ever set by a visiting team in India.
- Stumps Score: India finished Day 4 reeling at 27 for 2 (in 15.5 overs).
- Target Remaining: India requires 522 runs to win.
- The Task: The primary goal for the hosts is not victory, but survival. India must bat out the entire day—approximately three full sessions—with only eight wickets in hand to salvage a draw. This feat has rarely been achieved in Indian Test cricket history.
The Collapse: Harmer and Jansen Strike Early
India’s chase began disastrously, losing both openers before the close of play on Day 4:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) fell to a sharp delivery from Marco Jansen (who claimed 1 wicket).
- KL Rahul (6) was removed by the relentless off-spin of Simon Harmer (1 wicket).
The responsibility now falls entirely on Sai Sudharsan (2)* and night-watchman Kuldeep Yadav (4)* to withstand the initial pressure and build a fortress for the batsmen to follow.
Key Battles: The Deteriorating Pitch vs. Spin
The conditions at Barsapara will heavily favor the tourists:
- Spin Threat: The red soil pitch has gradually increased its degree of turn, a factor evident in Ravindra Jadeja’s 4-wicket haul in the second innings and the sharp dismissal of KL Rahul by Harmer. With Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy all available, spin will be the primary weapon.
- Jansen’s Intensity: Fast bowler Marco Jansen will remain a threat, capable of delivering sharp, short spells to keep the batsmen unsettled.
- Hope for India: India’s only saving grace is the likelihood of play ending early due to bad light (a frequent occurrence in Guwahati after 3:45 PM), which could help them run down the clock if they can survive the first two sessions.
This final day is set to be a desperate, defensive battle for India against a confident South African team aiming to complete a historic series whitewash.
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IMAGE CREDITS : OUTLOOK INDIA
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