India find themselves in a precarious situation against South Africa in the second Test of the series in Guwahati, as the middle order fails to deliver under pressure once again.
The hosts are looking to bounce back from the 30-run loss in Kolkata, where they failed to chase down a minimal target of 123 runs, which ended their chances of a series win.
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A loss in Guwahati would mean India faces two clean sweeps at home in their last three series. In 2024, New Zealand defeated them 3-0 in the series, and a similar result can be replicated by the Proteas.
India lose six wickets for 27 runs
India started the innings well, as Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul combined for 65 runs for the first wicket, while trailing by 489 runs.
KL Rahul's dismissal off Keshav Maharaj at 22(63) was followed by a little 30-run stand between Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan before all hell broke loose for the hosts.
India's collapse from 95 for one to 105 for five, essentially 10 wickets for four, was their worst in Tests at those positions since 1984, according to Cricinfo.com.
Simon Harmer inflicted a collapse by dismissing both the southpaws, before Marco Jansen joined the party. The lanky left-arm pacer used the short ball ploy to perfection and picked 4 wickets in the spell, and India was suddenly 7/122.
After Jadeja's wicket, India still trail by 367 runs and need another 167 to avoid a follow-on.
India's fall of wickets:
- KL Rahul- 1/65 (21.3)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal- 2/95 (32.2)
- Sai Sudharsan- 3/96 (34.3)
- Dhruv Jurel- 4/102 (35.3)
- Rishabh Pant- 5/105 (37.2)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy- 6/119 (41.4)
- Ravindra Jadeja- 7/122 (43.3)
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