South Africa Extend Lead to 508 on Day 4, Maintain Full Control Over India in 2nd Test
Guwahati, Nov 26 — South Africa tightened their grip on the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium as they extended their overall lead to a massive 508 runs by the end of Day 4. Dominating across both sessions, the Proteas showcased discipline, patience and calculated shot-making, placing India in a precarious position heading into the final stages of the match.
Event Overview
The visitors resumed Day 4 with an overnight score of 26/0, and their opening pair—Ryan Rickleton and Aiden Markram—started confidently against India’s seamers. Although the pitch remained stable and largely unthreatening during the first session, the South African batters’ cautious approach against spin resulted in a few soft dismissals.
Despite that, the Proteas maintained control throughout the day, steadily building a commanding total in their second innings.
Key Moments From the First Session
Rickleton looked solid early on and benefited from some fortunate reprieves, reaching 35 before falling to Ravindra Jadeja, who tempted him into an aerial drive that found Mohammed Siraj in the deep.
Markram too began with composure, negotiating both pace and spin comfortably, but Jadeja once again delivered a classical left-arm orthodox beauty that spun sharply to disturb the off-stump, dismissing him for 29.
Washington Sundar bowled an intelligent first spell, varying his pace and maintaining tight lines, which eventually helped him remove South African captain Temba Bavuma for just 3, caught smartly at leg slip by Nitish Kumar Reddy.
At lunch, South Africa had moved to a steady 107/3, keeping the Indians under pressure despite losing wickets.
De Zorzi and Stubbs Steady the Innings in the Second Session
The highlight of the afternoon session was the partnership between Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs. While Stubbs opted for patience and risk-free cricket, de Zorzi played with purpose, frequently sweeping the spinners and finding gaps on the leg side.
Their aggressive yet calculated stand injected fresh momentum into the innings. In 30 overs of the second session, South Africa added 113 runs, losing only the wicket of de Zorzi.
Jadeja once again broke the partnership, trapping de Zorzi lbw on 49, denying him a well-deserved half-century. With this wicket, Jadeja picked up his third of the day.
India handed a few overs to Yashasvi Jaiswal late in the session, but the move did not pay off as Wiaan Mulder dispatched him for a boundary off just his fourth ball.
By tea, Stubbs had moved to a composed 60 not out, guiding the innings with maturity beyond his age.
South Africa in Complete Command
With four full sessions remaining in the Test match, South Africa’s dominance leaves India facing an enormous challenge. The pitch has started to show signs of wear, and turn is becoming increasingly consistent—conditions that might trouble India’s batting lineup in the final innings.
South Africa’s current second-innings score stands at 220/4 in 70 overs, combining with their first innings of 489 to yield a formidable 508-run lead.
Meanwhile, India’s batters—who struggled earlier, getting bowled out for 201—will have to produce one of their greatest rearguard efforts to avoid defeat.
Brief Scores
South Africa: 489 & 220/4 in 70 overs (Tristan Stubbs 60*, Tony de Zorzi 49; Ravindra Jadeja 3 wickets)
India: 201 all out in 83.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Washington Sundar 48; Marco Jansen 6-48, Simon Harmer 3-64)
South Africa lead by 508 runs
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
South Africa’s Day 4 performance cements their control over the second Test, placing India under immense pressure as the match enters its final phase. With a deteriorating pitch and a monumental target ahead, India’s biggest test now lies in resilience, temperament and survival. The Proteas, on the other hand, will be confident of wrapping up the match early on Day 5.