South Africa placed one hand firmly on the series trophy after declaring at 260 for 5, setting India a towering target of 549 on Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati. Tristan Stubbs once again led the charge with a fluent 94, falling just six short of what would have been a well-deserved third Test hundred.
Earlier in the day, India bowled with renewed intent and managed to pick three wickets in the morning session to keep themselves alive. But the brief momentum evaporated when Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi stitched a crucial 101-run partnership. De Zorzi fell for 49, yet South Africa continued batting deep into the final session, making India chase leather for more than an hour before captain Temba Bavuma finally called them in.
The timing, in hindsight, proved perfect.
India’s chase began in disastrous fashion. Yashasvi Jaiswal was removed by Marco Jansen for the third time in four innings, and KL Rahul was castled by an absolute ripper from Simon Harmer that exploited the widening footmarks. By stumps, the hosts were two down, with Sai Sudharsan and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav somehow seeing off the final overs under fading light.
India now face a near-impossible mountain on Day 5 — either pull off one of Test cricket’s greatest escapes or fight long enough to salvage a draw. Yet even a draw won’t save the series; South Africa already lead 1–0 after their convincing win in Kolkata.
Tristan Stubbs, speaking after stumps, admitted disappointment at missing his century but said he would “take this any day” with India already two wickets down. He noted the foot-holes on the surface and backed his side’s bowlers to “clean them up” if they hit the right areas.
South Africa stand just a day away from their first Test series win in India in 25 years, and the world champions will need something miraculous to stop them.
As the broadcasters summed it up: Day 5 will be historic, whatever the result.
For context, the highest successful run chase in Test history is West Indies’ 418 against Australia in 2003, while India’s best is 406 against the West Indies in 1976 — both far below the 549 they face in Guwahati.
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