India All Out for 201, South Africa Lead by 288 Runs on Day 3 of Guwahati Test; Marco Jansen Stars with 6-Wicket Haul

With only a few minutes remaining before stumps on Day 3, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma opted against enforcing the follow-on and chose to bat again. Openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton faced a fiery spell from Jasprit Bumrah under lights but ended the day unscathed.

Day 3 Highlights: India Collapse After Promising Start

- India resumed at 9/0 but lost KL Rahul (22) to Keshav Maharaj after a solid 65-run opening stand.

- Yashasvi Jaiswal fought hard for a gritty 58 (97 balls, 7×4, 1×6) – his first fifty of the series – before falling to Simon Harmer.

- Sai Sudharsan (15), Dhruv Jurel (0), Rishabh Pant (7), Nitish Kumar Reddy (10) and Ravindra Jadeja (6) all failed as India slumped from 96/2 to 122/7 soon after Tea.

- Washington Sundar top-scored with a resilient 48 (92 balls) and shared a fighting 52-run partnership with Kuldeep Yadav (19), but once Sundar fell to Harmer, the tail folded quickly.

- Marco Jansen returned with the second new ball to claim the last three wickets and finish with outstanding figures of 6 wickets – his second five-wicket haul in Tests against India.

Scorecard Summary (India 1st Innings)  

India 201 all out (81.3 overs)  

Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Washington Sundar 48  

Marco Jansen 6/49, Simon Harmer 3/51, Keshav Maharaj 1/36  

South Africa lead by 288 runs

South Africa Decline Follow-On, Begin Second Innings

Despite the huge lead and the follow-on mark of 289, Bavuma decided to give his bowlers extra rest and bat again with roughly half an hour left in the day. Jasprit Bumrah started aggressively, beating the bat repeatedly and inducing an edge from Aiden Markram that was dropped by KL Rahul at second slip. South Africa reached the close without loss.

Series on the Line: India Stare at First Home Series Defeat Since 2012

South Africa already lead the two-match series 1-0 after their comprehensive victory in the first Test. A defeat or even a draw in Guwahati will hand the Proteas their first Test series win in India in over two decades. India must now bat out of their skins in the fourth innings on a pitch that has offered sharp turn and variable bounce to spinners and extra lift to Marco Jansen.

Key Stats from Day 3

- Marco Jansen: First South African pacer to take a 6-wicket haul in India since Dale Steyn.

- Washington Sundar recorded the highest control percentage (92.9%) among Indian batters facing 20+ spin deliveries this series.

- India’s last 8 wickets fell for just 99 runs.

Play will resume on Day 4 (November 25) with South Africa looking to pile on quick runs and set India an improbable target. For the hosts, survival on a wearing Guwahati pitch will be the first priority if they are to keep the series – and their proud home record – alive.