INDvsSA 2nd Test: India Slip From 95/1 to 105/5 as South Africa Dominate Day 3 in Guwahati

India's batting order has unravelled dramatically on the third morning of the second Test against South Africa at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, collapsing from a promising 65/1 to 102/4 by tea and further to 109/5 shortly after, still trailing the Proteas' commanding first-innings 489 by a daunting 380 runs. The session's carnage saw four wickets tumble for just 44 runs in 15 overs, with spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer doing the bulk of the damage on a pitch that remained largely benign but started offering subtle turn and grip. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a lone ray of resistance with a patient 58 off 85 balls—his 13th Test fifty—before falling to Harmer, caught at slip off a delivery that turned just enough to induce a false shot.

Captain Rishabh Pant's tenure as skipper got off to a nightmarish start, as he endured a "brain fade" moment immediately after the break, advancing down the track to Marco Jansen only to edge a full delivery straight to Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps for 7 off 8 balls. Compounding the error, Pant wasted a DRS review despite clear evidence of bat involvement on UltraEdge, leaving India shell-shocked at 109/5 after 39.4 overs. Earlier, KL Rahul (22 off 63) became Maharaj's victim, lbw to a slider that nipped back, while Sai Sudharsan (0) and Dhruv Jurel (0) fell in quick succession to Harmer's wily off-spin—Sudharsan bowled through the gate and Jurel caught by a diving Maharaj at backward square leg off a top-edged pull. Nitish Kumar Reddy (4*) and Ravindra Jadeja (2*) now hold the fort, facing a rescue mission that echoes India's first-Test capitulation in Kolkata.

South Africa's bowlers, led by Harmer's 2/23, have exploited the conditions masterfully, with Jansen (1/23) and Maharaj (1/20) maintaining relentless pressure under overcast skies that aided early seam movement. The Proteas' massive total, built on Senuran Muthusamy's gritty maiden century (107) and Marco Jansen's explosive 93 off 91 balls, has put India on the back foot in this must-win decider after their 30-run loss in the series opener. With early fog lifting to reveal a flat track unlikely to break up significantly, India's middle order—already under scrutiny post-Kolkata—must summon resilience to avoid a follow-on and keep the World Test Championship points in contention.

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As play resumes post-tea, all eyes are on Jadeja and Reddy to forge a partnership and draw South Africa's attack into the afternoon heat, potentially setting up Kuldeep Yadav and the pacers for a second-innings assault. Former coach Ravi Shastri's pre-play advice to declare 80-100 runs short if needed now feels prescient, but with the deficit yawning at over 380, India's focus shifts to mere survival before any tactical gambles. Temba Bavuma's men, sensing a series-clinching victory, will push hard with their spinners, making this a defining session in a rubber that has swung wildly between batting dominance and sudden implosions.

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