All-rounder Marco Jansen’s sensational display with the red ball not only dismantled India but also pushed South Africa to within touching distance of a first series win on Indian soil in more than two decades. By stumps on Day 3, the Proteas were firmly in control at 26/0, extending their overall lead to 314 with two full days still remaining.
In response to South Africa’s imposing first-innings total of 489, India needed to bat long and score with purpose. Instead, the hosts faltered on both counts, bundled out for just 201 on a surface that continued to offer little assistance to bowlers. Jansen, who had smashed a brutal 93 the previous day, returned to torment India again, this time with a six-wicket haul built on hostility, steep bounce and relentless short-pitched bowling.
India’s collapse was softened only by a dogged 72-run eighth-wicket stand between Washington Sundar (48 off 92) and Kuldeep Yadav (19 off 134), a partnership that spanned nearly 35 overs. Kuldeep’s resistance stood out as he stonewalled everything thrown at him, displaying the patience and application that India’s top order lacked. His marathon stay frustrated the Proteas, though the visitors always had the scoreboard cushion before eventually wrapping up the innings to secure a massive 288-run lead.
Opting against the follow-on, South Africa’s openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton added 26 more runs to the tally by stumps. Rickelton got going with a crisp punch through cover off Jasprit Bumrah, while Markram picked up boundaries off both Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. India sought breakthroughs by tinkering with angles and introducing Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav late in the day, but the Proteas openers remained untroubled.
Earlier, resuming the third day at 9/0, India’s openers weathered the early storm to put up 65 runs on the board. With the pitch offering spin only at slower speeds, South Africa introduced Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj after just seven overs, their trajectory allowing the surface to grip and bounce fractionally more than the Indian spinners had managed. But they bowled slower through the air, allowing the ball to hold onto the pitch and bounce a smidgeon more.
Rahul, who had batted within himself until then, was the first to fall prey, as he edged Maharaj to first slip for 22. Jaiswal (58) anchored India’s ship with the right mix of caution and aggression, attacking Jansen and Wiaan Mulder early before sweeping the spinners with authority. But shortly after registering his maiden fifty against South Africa, he fell to a Harmer delivery that kicked just enough to take the outside edge, with Jansen completing a sharp catch at third man.
Sai Sudharsan (15) then became the first Indian batter to throw away his wicket, flat-batting a harmless half-tracker to mid-wicket. That dismissal opened the door for Jansen to take charge and rip through the middle and lower order. His short-ball barrage proved decisive, though India contributed to their downfall with loose shots. Dhruv Jurel swiped a wide bouncer straight to mid-on, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja fended awkwardly to the slips, and Rishabh Pant added to the procession when he fell caught behind attempting an over-aggressive charge.
Brief Scores: South Africa 489 and 26/0 in eight overs (Ryan Rickelton 13 not out, Aiden Markram 12 not out) lead India 201 in 83.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Washington Sundar 48; Marco Jansen 6-48, Simon Harmer 3-64) by 314 runs.