Jansen Takes Six as South Africa Close on Test Series Win Over India

GUWAHATI: South Africa's towering pacer Marco Jansen took six wickets, putting the tourists within reach of a historic Test series win in India after bowling out the hosts for 201 in the second match on Monday.

In reply to South Africa’s imposing 489, India were trailing by 288 runs in their first innings. However, the visitors chose not to enforce the follow-on and decided to bat again on day three in Guwahati.

Having already won the first Test in the two-match series in Kolkata, South Africa are now closing in on their first series win in India since Hansie Cronje’s team triumphed in 2000.

India is under massive pressure once again, suffering their fourth defeat in six home Tests after their loss in the first match.

South Africa, dominant throughout the day, reached 26-0 at stumps to extend their lead to 314 in their 2nd innings.

Left-handers Ryan Rickelton (13) and Aiden Markram (12) were at the crease when bad light halted play, with the sun setting early in the northeastern city.

Jansen, a left-arm quick, claimed his fourth five-wicket Test haul before sealing India’s fate with his sixth wicket in the final session of the day.

India had slumped to 122-7, despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58, as wickets kept falling on a pitch that still appeared good for batting.

Washington Sundar (48) and fellow left-hander Kuldeep Yadav (19) added 72 runs off 208 balls in a resilient partnership before off-spinner Simon Harmer broke through, dismissing Sundar.

Jansen then removed Kuldeep and Jasprit Bumrah (5), wrapping up India’s innings in under three sessions.

Previously, Jaiswal dismissed his overnight partner KL Rahul for 22, but he completed his 13th Test half-century. He executed the sweep shot well, striking seven fours and one six, before falling to Harmer.

Harmer also documented a mid-wicket dismissal of Sai Sudharsan, who scored 15.

Standing tall at 6ft 8in (2.03 metres), Jansen, who had made 93 in South Africa’s first innings, used the bouncer to trouble the Indian batters, with Jurel falling to a pull shot off a short ball.

Skipper Rishabh Pant was dismissed caught behind for seven by Jansen shortly after, and the batting crumbled, with Aiden Markram taking a stunning one-handed diving catch to dismiss Nitish Kumar Reddy off Jansen. Reddy made 10.