GUWAHATI: Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with a fluent 58 as India struggled to 102 for four at tea on day three of the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Monday. India is trailing by 387 runs in reply to South Africa’s imposing first innings total of 489.
Another session that belonged to South Africa
India scored 93-4 even after a 65-0 start, no such wicket raking balls apart from KL Rahul dismissal, just reckless shots from all three#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/yx9cKtFHQd
— The Cricket Express (@TheYorkerBall) November 24, 2025
Rishabh Pant, captaining in the absence of injured Shubman Gill, was batting on six at the break, while Ravindra Jadeja had yet to open his account. India began cautiously after their heavy defeat in Kolkata, facing a track described by spinner Kuldeep Yadav as a “road” with little assistance for bowlers.
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KL Rahul (22) showed composure in defence, while Jaiswal looked fluent, often employing the sweep shot to counter South Africa’s spinners. However, the visitors struck early when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Rahul, who edged an extra-bounce delivery into the hands of Aiden Markram at slip, breaking a 65-run opening stand.
Jaiswal reached his fifty off Simon Harmer’s bowling but fell soon after, spooning a delivery to a diving Marco Jansen at backward point. Harmer also dismissed Sai Sudharsan, caught at mid-wicket by Ryan Rickelton, before Jansen bounced out Dhruv Jurel for an 11-ball duck in the next over.
Pant hit a massive six off the second ball he faced, but with India four down and still trailing heavily, the onus is on him to produce an extraordinary innings to keep the hosts in contention. South Africa’s disciplined bowling, led by Harmer and Jansen, has put the tourists in a commanding position to secure a 2-0 series sweep.
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The session underlined India’s batting vulnerabilities on a slow pitch, with South Africa maintaining pressure and exploiting the slightest mistakes. With over 387 runs still to make, India faces a daunting task to avoid a follow-on and mount a fightback in the series.