India vs South Africa Test 2 – Day 3
Day 3 of the India vs South Africa second Test at Guwahati proved to be a decisive turning point. After South Africa asserted dominance on Day 2 by posting a mammoth 489, India failed to mount a substantial counter on Day 3. The hosts suffered a dramatic collapse, and by the end of the day, the match appeared clearly tilted toward South Africa. This report dives deep into how Day 3 unfolded, with real-match statistics, key moments, and tactical insights.
Morning Session: India’s Response Begins Uneasily
India came into Day 3 having to respond to South Africa’s first innings total of 489. Their task was steep, with the scoreboard capacity and psychological weight both perched heavily on their shoulders. Early in the morning session, India’s openers began with cautious optimism.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal opened brightly and made 58 off 97 balls before losing his wicket.
- KL Rahul, his partner, managed 22 runs before being dismissed.
- Sai Sudharsan was out for 15, adding to India’s opening troubles.
- Dhruv Jurel fell just before tea for a duck, leaving India reeling at 102/4 at the tea break.
By tea, India trailed by 387 runs. This shaky start underlined how tough the day would be for the hosts in the India vs South Africa battle.
Key Wickets and Tactical Mastery by South Africa
South Africa’s bowlers struck at regular intervals in the first session. Their strategy blended patience with aggression, and the results showed.
- Simon Harmer claimed the key wicket of Jaiswal, reducing Indian hopes early.
- Keshav Maharaj dismissed KL Rahul, capitalizing on rising bounce and length.
- Marco Jansen returned later on to pick up vital wickets, reinforcing South Africa’s dominance with the new ball.
Because South Africa maintained tight lines and leveraged aggressive field placements, they turned the pressure up on every Indian batter. The early strike cost India dearly, leaving them vulnerable against a strong bowling unit in the India vs South Africa Test.
Midday Fightback: India Stumbles, Tail Offers Glimmer
After tea, India’s middle and lower order attempted to steady the ship. But South Africa’s attack proved too disciplined and varied.
Rishabh Pant came in with the task of stabilizing but fell for just 7 off 8 balls, dismissed by Marco Jansen, who continued to make life difficult.
The collapse resumed as India lost Nitish Reddy and other key batters quickly.
By lunch during this session, India had slumped to 141/7, still trailing by 348 runs, putting them dangerously close to a follow-on scenario.
Despite the damage, India saw some resistance in the final session of the day, giving them a slight cushion.
Lower Order Resistance: Sundar & Kuldeep’s Crucial Partnership
In the face of a mounting collapse, two Indian lower-order batters stepped up:
Washington Sundar played a gritty innings, scoring 33 runs off 66 balls and holding one end.
Kuldeep Yadav remained unbeaten at 14 off 82 balls, playing a patient and defensive role to support Sundar.
Their partnership stabilized the innings to some extent, preventing a total collapse too early. According to live coverage, the duo put together a stand of about 50 runs before India lost more wickets. This fightback demonstrated that despite deep trouble, India was not ready to surrender immediately in the India vs South Africa Test.
Bowling Performance: South Africa’s Attack Dominates
South Africa’s bowling on Day 3 was largely clinical and well-planned. Key observations:
Marco Jansen continued his excellent form, picking up major wickets including Pant and others, applying constant pressure with pace.
Spin strategy: The spinners and seamers worked in tandem — South Africa varied their bowling lengths, combining short balls and fuller deliveries, preventing India from settling.
Fielding: The field was aggressive and sharp, with catches taken close and in the deep — contributing to South Africa’s dominance.
This disciplined attack ensured India continued to lose wickets and remained on the back foot throughout the day.
Match Situation by Stumps: India All Out for 201
By the close of Day 3, India’s first innings was wrapped up poorly:
India were all out for 201, according to reports.
This gave South Africa a first-innings lead of 288 runs, a massive cushion in Test cricket. (India 201 vs SA 489)
The ability of South Africa to build a big lead meant they were now deeply in control of the match and could dictate terms going into Day 4.
Key Players of Day 3
Marco Jansen (South Africa) — His pace, bounce, and wicket-taking made a huge difference. He dismantled India’s lower middle order with meritorious effort.
Washington Sundar (India) — Offered resistance when most of India’s batting folded. His 33 off 66 was valuable in context.
Kuldeep Yadav (India) — Played the role of a nightwatchman-type batter, defended patiently, and frustrated South African bowlers significantly.
Simon Harmer & Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) — Their spin and control in crucial spells prevented India from building any large partnerships.
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What This Means for the India vs South Africa Test
South Africa is now in a very strong position. With a 288-run lead, they can bat again if they want or push India hard with the ball in the fourth innings.
India will need to rethink aggressively: their top and middle order must bat long on Day 4 to avoid further disaster.
The pitch might play differently in later days. If cracks appear or wear sets in, India’s lower order and spinners may get some help — but they need to survive first.
Mental resilience will be key for India. Recovering from such a collapse requires not just skill but mindset.
Conclusion India Vs South Africa Day 3
Day 3 of the India vs South Africa second Test was a day of dominance for South Africa. Their bowlers executed plans brilliantly, broke partnerships when needed, and never allowed India to breathe easy. On the other hand, India’s batting never fully recovered — despite lower-order resistance from Sundar and Kuldeep, their collapse was too severe.
With a huge lead in hand, South Africa now controls the narrative. India, meanwhile, faces a daunting task. They must respond sharply on Day 4 if they want to remain in this Test. The margin for error is minimal, and comeback will require patience, grit, and smart cricket.
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