Guwahati Test: 0-5 loading? India lose openers in chase of 549 at stumps on Day 4

First New Zealand, and now South Africa. The spectre of a nightmarish 0–5 scoreline loomed ominously over India once again as Day 4 of the second Test unfolded at the ACA Stadium on Tuesday. With every session, the Proteas tightened their grip on the match and the series, marching closer to what would be their first Test series victory on Indian soil since 2001.

A commanding declaration at 260/5, built on a superb 94 from Tristan Stubbs, left India staring at an almost insurmountable target of 549. By stumps, the hosts were already tottering at 27/2, their hopes of a comeback slipping rapidly.

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Marco Jansen, who had tormented India in the first innings, struck the first blow yet again. In the seventh over, he sent back Yashasvi Jaiswal for 13, the opener edging behind after a nervy stay. That brought B Sai Sudharsan to the middle alongside KL Rahul, but the partnership barely took shape before off-spinner Simon Harmer dismantled it in the 10th over. Rahul, attempting to close his bat face across the line, misjudged the dip and drift of the delivery completely. The ball sneaked through, brushing an inside edge before clattering into the stumps, a dismissal that summed up India’s muddled mindset in a chase of such enormous scale.

India quickly sent out Kuldeep Yadav as the nightwatchman, and the left-arm spinner managed to stonewall efficiently, seeing out the remaining overs with Sudharsan. Even so, the damage had been done. Two down, a mountain of runs away, and with only pride to play for, India trudged back to the dressing room with the series slipping further away.

Earlier in the day, South Africa had resumed confidently on 26/0, with openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram settling in smoothly. Their composed batting pushed the score to 58 before India’s spinners finally found their rhythm. Ravindra Jadeja cracked open the stand, dismissing Rickelton for 35 when the left-hander miscued an ambitious attempt to break free. Moments later, Jadeja struck again, this time with a sharply turning ball that trapped Markram for 29, signalling a glimpse of Indian resurgence.

Washington Sundar complemented Jadeja admirably, delivering a spell marked by deft pace variations and tight lines. His persistence bore fruit when Temba Bavuma flicked loosely to leg slip. India’s fielding, though energetic, was marred by missed opportunities, including run-out chances that could have stalled South Africa’s progress further. Still, by lunch, the match hung in a curious balance with the visitors at 107/3. But the balance tilted swiftly and decisively thereafter.

Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs stitched together a partnership that drained India’s momentum and rekindled South Africa’s dominance. Their combination of controlled aggression and clever rotation of strike made the surface appear far friendlier than it had for the Indians. De Zorzi’s emphatic sweeps and Stubbs’ calm, measured strokeplay kept the score moving briskly. Boundaries flowed with enough regularity to keep the pressure squarely on India’s bowlers, who struggled to regain the bite they had shown earlier.

Jadeja eventually trapped de Zorzi lbw for a gritty 49, ending a partnership that had stretched India’s patience. But Stubbs refused to relent. He reached a fluent half-century and, with Wiaan Mulder offering steady support, pushed South Africa past the 500-run lead. Even part-time overs from Jaiswal couldn’t break through as the Proteas piled up 113 runs in the post-tea session for the loss of just one wicket. The visitors were in complete command, dictating the pace and leaving India increasingly bereft of ideas.

By lunch, South Africa had cruised to 220/4 after 70 overs. After the interval, the scoreboard continued ticking as Stubbs approached what would have been a career-defining century. But on 94, he finally fell, though not before inflicting enough damage to force South Africa firmly into the driver’s seat. With the lead towering and momentum fully behind them, Bavuma wasted no time in declaring the innings at 260/5.

On Wednesday, India will not only have to bat out of their skin to save the Test, but in the process will have to counter the South African spinners on a deteriorating Day 5 pitch.

Brief Scores: South Africa 489 & 260/5d in 78.3 overs (Tristan Stubbs 94, Tony de Zorzi 49; Ravindra Jadeja 4/62) lead India 201 & 27/2 in 15.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 13, KL Rahul 6; Simon Harmer 1-1, Marco Jansen 1-14) by 521 runs.