Guwahati: It gets from bad to worse for Team India.
Once considered to be invincible at home, devouring all visitors who dared to challenge them, India have been reduced to paper tigers.
New Zealand humbled them 3-0 last year. Now, South Africa are making a mockery of Team India and on the brink of handing them a 2-0 Test series whitewash.
The Proteas declared their second innings at 260/5 to set India a near-impossible victory target of 549 in the second and final Test at Guwahati. At stumps on Day 4, India were tottering at 27/2, with openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal both back in the pavilion.
Jaiswal, India’s top-scorer with 58 in a dismal first-innings total of 201, cut one from Marco Jansen too close to his body and edged a simple catch to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
Rahul tried to play a lazy flick only to be castled by a sharply spinning delivery from off-spinner Simon Harmer.
Sai Sudharshan and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav somehow played out six tense and nervous overs to survive the day.
It will require a much improved batting show by India on Wednesday to avoid a mammoth defeat and another embarrassing home series rout.
BRIEF SCORES
South Africa first innings: 489
India first innings: 201.
South Africa second innings: 260/5 declared (Tristan Stubbs 94, Tony de Zorzi 49; Ravindra Jadeja 4/62).
India second innings: 27/2.
2nd Test to conclude on Wednesday.
