The Proteas openers added a calm and unflustered 26 runs by stumps without losing a wicket, stretching their side’s advantage to a mountain India can only dream of climbing. Their approach was a classic lesson in controlled aggression, neither flashy nor timid, just quietly effective.
Earlier in the day, India were bundled out for 201, still miles behind South Africa’s hefty first innings total of 489. Yashasvi Jaiswal showed a glimmer of resistance with 58, while Washington Sundar played a steadying hand, contributing 48. The pair stitched together a stubborn 72 run stand for the seventh wicket at a time when India were wobbling at 122 for 7.
But Marco Jansen had other plans. The tall left armer produced a bowling spell that could only be described as ruthlessly clinical, snaring six wickets and leaving the Indian batting order in complete disarray.
South Africa’s lower order had earlier delivered a masterclass in resilience. All rounder Senuran Muthusamy struck his maiden Test century, while Jansen followed his heroics with the ball by smashing a brilliant 93. Their partnership turned what could have been a modest lead into a formidable cushion.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav fought hard and picked up four wickets, but the momentum had already swung away.
After their lacklustre outing at Eden Gardens, India had hoped for redemption on what was widely described as a batting friendly surface in Guwahati. Instead, their struggle continued, raising fresh questions about team balance, pitch reading, and overall temperament under pressure.
South Africa, meanwhile, sense a golden chance to achieve something rare. The Proteas have won a Test series in India only once, way back in the 1999 2000 season. Now, after years of waiting, they stand on the doorstep of history once again.
As the contest heads into Day 4, India need a performance that borders on extraordinary, if not miraculous. South Africa, on the other hand, simply need to stay the course, something they have done with admirable clarity so far.
