In a gripping contest during the second Test match between India and South Africa held in Guwahati, Marco Jansen showcased exceptional bowling prowess on Day 3, leading his team to a strategic position. Jansen captured six wickets, effectively dismantling India's batting order, which ultimately collapsed at 201 runs. His impactful spell exemplified his adaptability to Indian conditions, as he effectively mixed lengths and maintained a consistent line throughout his bowling.
As the day progressed, South Africa continued to assert pressure. With South Africa having opted for a new ball, Jansen returned to wreak further havoc by claiming his fifth wicket against Kuldeep Yadav, whose ill-timed shot resulted in a catch to slip. Despite some resistance from Washington Sundar and Kuldeep, India's hopes of avoiding a follow-on seemed increasingly bleak as wickets fell steadily.
With the South African bowling attack led by Jansen, complemented by Simon Harmer's formidable spin, India struggled to gain momentum. Harmer's clever variations and tight lines resulted in critical breakthroughs, including the dismissals of key players such as Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. The challenge for India lay not just in the quality of South Africa’s bowling, but also in their own batting inconsistencies that highlighted a growing worry for the Indian side.
The Indian batting lineup faced criticism from analysts for their inability to adapt to the conditions and play challenging deliveries effectively. Former coach Ravi Shastri noted the disappointing performance, stating that the conditions weren’t as hostile as reflected in the team's score and urged for a more assertive approach. With only a threadbare lead against South Africa's innings, India now confronts the daunting task of extending their innings to avoid an embarrassing defeat at home.
As the day ended with South Africa in a strong position, thoughts now turn to whether India can mount a successful response in the remaining innings. They will have to be incredibly vigilant to combat the bowling dynamics of Jansen and Harmer while striving to forge solid partnerships at the crease in order to hold onto any hopes of salvaging the Test match.