GUWAHATI : South Africa tightened their grip during the final day of second test against India as Simon Harmer once again dismantled India’s batting. The off-spinner claimed four wickets in the innings, removing batters through a variety of dismissals as India continued to collapse.
India’s batting struggles, seen throughout the series, resurfaced yet again. Harmer took all three wickets to fall in the morning session, striking twice in a single over to dismiss Kuldeep Yadav and Dhruv Jurel, before adding Rishabh Pant shortly after.
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Across the entire series, India have looked far from their usual standards. They appeared to have walked straight into South Africa’s grinding, patient strategy. After losing the opening Test in Kolkata while chasing just 124—thanks to a series of errors—the second Test in Guwahati has unfolded along a similar pattern. The Proteas stuck to their disciplined plan, confident that the pressure to force a result lay firmly on India.
With four days of South Africa dictating the pace of the contest and India repeatedly losing focus at key moments, Day 5 has brought a harsh reality. India trail by 522 runs, making a chase virtually impossible. Scoring at more than six an over throughout the day in the fourth innings, with two wickets already lost, is unrealistic especially for a team that couldn’t reach 124 ten days earlier. India’s only realistic goal now is to survive long enough to salvage a draw, secure whatever WTC points they can, and reflect on their shortcomings ahead of their next assignment.
For South Africa, the picture is entirely different. Renowned for their strong performances away from home and carrying the confidence of being WTC champions, they now stand on the verge of a dominant series win. Temba Bavuma’s side has been exceptional throughout, and they are just eight wickets away from completing a 2-0 sweep.
Their superiority has been evident on almost every day of the series, and they will back themselves to finish off an Indian side struggling with form and readiness. Unless India show remarkable resilience from here, the match appears to be headed firmly in South Africa’s favour.
