India Fear Another Whitewash at Home
South Africa is pouring in a flood of runs in the second Test in Guwahati. But when India is batting, it feels like a bowling pitch. The hosts are losing wickets at regular intervals. It is only a matter of time before India gets whitewashed.
The record of chasing the highest 418 runs in Test history is still held by West Indies. The Caribbeans chased down this run and won against Australia in 2003. In 2022, teams have repeatedly faced a bigger target in the fourth innings. But none have succeeded. South Africa has set a target of 549 runs for India in the second Test of the series in Guwahati. India, on a mission to climb Everest, ended the fourth day’s play today at 27 for 2 in 15.5 overs in the second innings. Sai Sudarshan and Kuldeep Yadav will come out to bat on the fifth day tomorrow at 2 and 4 runs. If India loses this time, it will be whitewashed in Tests at home twice in the last 1 year. Earlier in 2024, New Zealand had thrashed India 3-0 in a Test at their home ground.
South Africa started the fourth day of play today in Guwahati with 26 runs for no loss in 8 overs in the second innings. Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership by dismissing Ryan Rickelton (35) off the third ball of the 19th over. Rickelton-Aiden Markram added 59 runs in the opening partnership. The Proteas were immediately 77 for 3 in 31.3 overs. After Markram (29) and Temba Bavuma (3) were dismissed quickly, Tristan Stubbs took over. Stubbs and Tony de Georgie put on a 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket off 162 balls. Jadeja trapped de Georgie (49) lbw on the first ball of the 59th over.
India Fear Another Whitewash at Home
Stubbs contributed to a partnership of 82 runs with Vianne Mulder for the fifth wicket. Stubbs was out just six runs shy of his third Test century. Jadeja bowled Stubbs (94) off the third ball of the 79th over. South Africa declared their innings after scoring 260 for 5 in 78.3 overs. The Proteas, with a lead of 288 runs, scored 548 runs.
Chasing a target of 549, India batted in a traditional Test mood. Batting defensively, the hosts lost 2 wickets for 21 runs. Marco Jansen took the wicket of Yashaswi Jaiswal, who made 13 runs off 19 balls. Simon Harmer bowled KL Rahul (6). When India finished the fourth day’s play at 27 for 2 in 15.5 overs, their run rate was 1.70. Rahul played 30 balls to make 6 runs. Kuldeep and Sudarshan played 22 and 25 balls respectively.
