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Day four of the second Test in Guwahati saw South Africa execute a patient, yet relentless, strategy that crushed India’s resistance and positioned the visitors for a decisive 2-0 series victory. Every session was dictated by the Proteas, who ultimately extended their lead to a point of no return for the hosts.
Spinners Try to Avert Disaster
India began Day 4 facing a massive 314-run deficit. The responsibility of turning the game fell to the finger spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, who were backed vocally by stand-in captain Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.
- Early Success: The spinners found some early reward. Jadeja removed opener Ryan Rickelton in the first hour. Soon after, Jadeja bowled a sharp-turning delivery to dismiss Aiden Markram. Washington Sundar also found success, getting a ball to turn sharply and claiming the wicket of captain Temba Bavuma.
- Contrasting Conditions: Despite India’s early breakthroughs, the larger picture was grim. South Africa’s spinners (Harmer and Maharaj) entered the game having enjoyed far more turn and lower average speeds than India’s spinners did when the pitch was new—an early sign that the pitch was playing into South Africa’s hands.
South Africa’s Strategic Grind
The anticipated declaration from South Africa never materialized quickly. The visitors batted for an additional 38.3 overs, adding 154 more runs to push the target beyond 540.
- Conrad’s Plan: South African coach Shukri Conrad later revealed the multi-faceted goal: to exhaust the Indian fielders, maximize the utility of the new ball across two twilight periods (Day 4 close and Day 5 start), and generally make the atmosphere uncomfortable for the chasing side.
- Middle Order Dominance: As Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder steadily piled on runs, India’s attack looked defeated. Key pacer Jasprit Bumrah bowled sparingly, and India meandered through the day while South Africa deliberately ran down the clock. The slow progress felt like time trickling down in a slow-motion hourglass.
Jadeja’s Admission: Survival Equals Victory
The relentless pressure from South Africa ultimately achieved its desired effect on the Indian camp. After the day’s play, Ravindra Jadeja acknowledged the hopelessness of the situation, admitting that the primary goal has shifted from winning to survival.
“Tomorrow is Day 5, so the ball will turn more and bounce more. We will have to bat well… If we can bat out the full day tomorrow, that will be a win-win situation for us,” Jadeja admitted. “It’ll be as good as a winning situation.”
With India losing two early wickets in the chase and facing a deficit of over 500, the final day is set to be a desperate, defensive battle for the hosts to avoid a series sweep.
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IMAGE CREDITS : CRICBUZZ
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