Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer claimed a wicket apiece late on the fourth day to leave India struggling on 27-2 in the fourth innings as they attempt to draw the second test against South Africa chasing an impossible target of 549 for victory on the final day at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday morning.
Tristan Stubbs contributed a mostly painstaking 94 from 180 balls to help South Africa reach 260-5 in their second innings before the declaration finally came with just an hour’s play remaining in the day but the double strike to remove both Indian openers could make the delay in bowling immaterial.
Jansen cramped Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) for room as an attempted cut was edged to ‘keeper Kyle Verreynne and Harmer ripped an off break between KL Rahul’s bat and pad to hit the stumps and dismiss him for just six.
South Africa’s lead of 508 after two sessions seemed more than sufficient but Temba Bavuma chose to bat on for another hour to give Stubbs an opportunity to score a century but he was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja (4-62) attempting a slog sweep to reach three figures in style.
Earlier Tony de Zorzi batted with positive intent to reach 49 from 68 deliveries including four fours and a slog-swept six on the third evening before missing a regular sweep shot against left arm spinner Jadeja and departing lbw in the 59th over of the innings. Wiaan Mulder was compact and comfortable reaching 35* from 69 balls when the declaration came.
Resuming on 26-0 and an overall lead of 314 the tourists stretched their advantage to 395 for the loss of three wickets in the morning session while in no great hurry to score quickly.
An opening stand of 59 came to an end when Ryan Rickelton was caught at extra cover advancing down the pitch to Jadeja looking to drive over mid off. His 35 spanned 64 balls and contained four boundaries.
Aiden Markram required 84 deliveries for his 29 runs (3x4) before a fine delivery from Jadeja pitched on middle stump and turned sufficiently to hit the top of off while Bavuma (3) received a snorter from offspinner Washington Sundar which fizzed and bounced off the batsman’s gloves into the hands of Nitish Reddy at backward short leg.
Sai Sudharsan (2*) and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (4*) will resume on the final morning with India requiring another 522 for a series-levelling victory. Realistically, their only hope is to bat through the day to save the game and concede a 1-0 series victory.
INDIA: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (captain/wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj
SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj.