South Africa Dominates Day Four in Guwahati, Sets India Mammoth Target of 549 Runs

South Africa Builds Commanding Lead in Guwahati Test

Guwahati, India – South Africa asserted their dominance on day four of the second Test against India at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, extending their lead to a formidable 395 runs by the tea break and ultimately declaring their second innings at 260 for 5. This set India a mammoth target of 549 runs for victory in what is a historic first Test match for the city of Guwahati.

Day Four's Play: Stubbs and de Zorzi Lead the Charge

Resuming their second innings, South Africa's batsmen capitalized on their strong position. Despite losing three wickets, they steadily built their advantage throughout the day. At tea, the Proteas were 107 for 3, with Tristan Stubbs (14*) and Tony de Zorzi (21*) at the crease, having already established a 395-run lead. Indian spinners, including Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, managed to pick up early wickets in the morning session.

However, Stubbs and de Zorzi then forged a crucial 101-run partnership, further solidifying South Africa's control. Stubbs went on to score an impressive 94 runs, narrowly missing a maiden Test century, while de Zorzi contributed 49 runs. Wiaan Mulder also added a valuable 35 runs. South Africa eventually declared their innings at 260 for 5, presenting India with a challenging chase.

India's Difficult Start to the Chase

In response to the daunting target, India faced an immediate struggle. By stumps on day four, the hosts had lost both their openers and were positioned precariously at 27 for 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 13 runs by Marco Jansen, and KL Rahul fell for 6 runs to Simon Harmer. Sai Sudharsan (2*) and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (4*) were unbeaten at the close of play, with India still requiring 522 runs to win the match.

Series Context and Guwahati's Test Debut

This second Test is part of a multi-format series between India and South Africa, which commenced on November 14, 2025. South Africa had previously secured a 30-run victory in the first Test held in Kolkata, giving them a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The match in Guwahati marks a significant milestone for the city, as it hosts its first-ever Test match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Notably, on day one of this Test, tea was taken before lunch, a rare occurrence attributed to the early sunrise and sunset in India's northeastern region.