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Stubbs-de Zorzi stand helps SA set massive target; India on the verge of defeat in 2nd Test

Akshita Patel

India on backfoot after Day 4 of second Test [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com]India on backfoot after Day 4 of second Test [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com]

In a slow yet defining Day 4 of the second Test at Guwahati, South Africa put on a solid batting display to set a target of 549 runs. Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi knitted a gritty partnership.

Though the Proteas declared the innings a little late, the bowlers did a fine job to get rid of the openers as India ended Day 4 in a dangerous position. 

Stubbs- de Zorzi’s 100-run partnership put India on the back foot

With a lead of over 300 runs, South African openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton walked out to bat on Day 4 at Guwahati. Ravindra Jadeja was quick to get the first breakthrough by removing Rickelton at 35. 

He followed it up with another key dismissal of Markram as South Africa were reduced to 74/2. Temba Bavuma couldn’t get going against India’s spinners and eventually lost the wicket to Washington Sundar.

At the end of the first session, South Africa lost three wickets, but then came a match-winning partnership between Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi.

The duo piled up a 101-run partnership for the third wicket to take the Proteas’ lead above 500 runs.

Stubbs missed out on a hundred by six runs as Jadeja cleaned him up on 94 off 180 balls in the 59th over.

Zorzi also fell short of a half-century by one run as Jadeja again trapped him LBW on 49 off 68 balls.

South Africa set an impossible target of 549 runs

However, South Africa refused to back down. Wiaan Mulder added crucial 35* runs off 69 balls as the Proteas declared the innings at 260/5. 

With that brilliant batting effort, the visitors set a steep target of 549 runs for India. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja picked 4 wickets for India in 28.3 overs.

Apart from Sundar’s solitary wicket, no bowler succeeded in outplaying South African batters. 

India in trouble after mini-collapse

Meanwhile, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul walked out to bat in the final hour of Day 4 with a near-impossible target on the board. 

Jaiswal, instead of playing defensively and protecting his wicket, edged out to the wicket-keeper as Marco Jansen drew first blood in the seventh over.

KL Rahul was then undone by Simon Harmer’s turn as his stumps were shattered, and India lost two wickets inside 10 overs with just 21 runs on the board.

To protect the rest of the core batting order, India sent Kuldeep Yadav to bat at no. 4 as night watchman. Kuldeep and Sai Sudharsan survived a late scare as stumps were called early due to poor light.

By the end of Day 4, India had 27 runs on the board at the loss of two wickets with 522 runs still left to chase.