South Africa crush India by 408 runs, seal first Test Series win in India since 1999
Chasing a massive target of 549, India were bowled out for just 140 in the second innings
PTC Web Desk: India suffered their biggest Test defeat at home as South Africa won the second Test by 408 runs and completed a historic series sweep. This is South Africa’s first Test series win in India since 1999–2000. India have now lost five of their last seven home Tests, marking a worrying trend.
Chasing a massive target of 549, India were bowled out for just 140 in the second innings. The star of the match was South African off-spinner Simon Harmer, who delivered an outstanding spell on the final day. Harmer took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with 6 for 37, and a total of 14 wickets in the match after his eight-wicket show in Kolkata.
The pitch in Guwahati offered turn, bounce and testing conditions for batters on the fifth day. While Indian spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja struggled to get much help, Harmer made full use of the surface with his accuracy and sharp turn, making batting extremely difficult for India.
India’s collapse started early in the morning session. Kuldeep Yadav, who fought hard for 38 balls, was bowled by a classic off-spinner from Harmer. Moments later, debutant Dhruv Jurel was dismissed for a pair when he edged a slider to slip.
Rishabh Pant tried to counterattack and even hit Keshav Maharaj for a six, but he too fell to a ball that bounced sharply and took the shoulder of his bat. Sai Sudharsan survived multiple chances but was eventually dismissed by Senuran Muthusamy after edging a simple ball.
Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja offered some resistance, raising hopes of a fightback. But Harmer struck again, getting Sundar caught in slips. Jadeja played the best knock for India with a gritty 53, but he was eventually stumped off Maharaj while trying to accelerate.
Nitish Reddy fell while attempting a reverse sweep, and Mohammed Siraj was the last wicket to fall after Marco Jansen pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch at long-on. The catch symbolised the difference between the two teams throughout the series.
South Africa outplayed India in all departments and walked away with a dominant series win, exposing India’s struggles on home soil in recent times.