Guwahati, India – November 24, 2025 – In a Test match that has steadily slipped from India’s grasp, Day 3 of the second Freedom Trophy Test against South Africa in Guwahati saw the Proteas tighten their stranglehold, ending with a monumental 314-run lead. This comprehensive dominance has left Rishabh Pant’s Indian side staring down the barrel of a 2-0 series sweep, with only a ‘miracle’ expected to save them.

South Africa’s Commanding Performance: A Masterclass in Test Cricket

South Africa arrived on Day 3 already in a commanding position, having posted a formidable 489 runs in their first innings. This total, largely bolstered by Day 2 heroics from Senuran Muthusamy (103) and Marco Jansen (97), provided them with an almost unassailable advantage. The pitch at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, initially described by former Proteas great Shaun Pollock as a ‘good one to bat on’ with ‘not too many devils in it’ even on Day 3, certainly proved to be a batting paradise for the visitors.

However, it was South Africa’s bowling and strategic decision-making that truly defined Day 3. After bundling out India for a mere 201, securing a colossal 288-run first innings lead, captain Temba Bavuma made a bold call: not to enforce the follow-on. This move, while surprising given the magnitude of the lead, hints at a deeper strategic play – perhaps to rest his frontline bowlers and allow them to attack a potentially more challenging Day 4 or 5 pitch, while simultaneously piling on more runs to bat India completely out of the game. Ryan Rickelton (13*) and Aiden Markram (12*) then extended the lead to 314 runs by Stumps, reaching 26/0 in their second innings, demonstrating clear intent.

Marco Jansen: The All-Round Hero

The standout performer of the day, and indeed the match so far, has undoubtedly been South Africa’s towering left-arm pacer, Marco Jansen. After narrowly missing a century with a superb 93 with the bat on Day 2, Jansen delivered a devastating spell with the ball, tearing through the Indian batting lineup to finish with exceptional figures of 6/48. This incredible effort marks the fourth-best figures by a left-arm pacer in Tests in India, cementing his place as a genuine match-winner. His ability to consistently pepper the Indian batters with short deliveries and bouncers proved highly effective, culminating in key dismissals like Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.

India’s Batting Collapse: A Day of Disappointment

India resumed Day 3 at 9/0, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul facing the immense pressure of scaling down South Africa’s imposing total. While Jaiswal showed flashes of brilliance, reaching a well-made half-century (58 runs off 85 balls, including six boundaries and a maximum), and KL Rahul contributed 22 before departing, the top order failed to convert starts into substantial scores.

The host’s innings was marred by a catastrophic mid-innings collapse, losing six wickets in the space of just 27 runs at one stage. Dhruv Jurel, stepping into the crucial No. 4 spot in Shubman Gill’s absence, departed for a 10-ball duck, while Sai Sudharsan (who replaced Washington Sundar at No. 3) also couldn’t make a significant impact after a brief start. This alarming capitulation exposed significant vulnerabilities in India’s batting depth and temperament under pressure.

The Rishabh Pant Conundrum: Criticism and Approach

Much of the post-match discussion has revolved around Indian captain Rishabh Pant’s dismissal for just 7 runs. His attempt to slog a Marco Jansen delivery over mid-wicket resulted in a nick that was caught behind, triggering severe criticism from cricketing legends. Dale Steyn bluntly stated, ‘You can’t win the match in the 1 over,’ while Anil Kumble emphasized, ‘You have to look at your approach, depending on the situation in the game.’

This critique highlights a persistent challenge for Pant – balancing his natural attacking instincts with the demands of Test match situations, especially when leading the side and the team is in deep trouble. As captain, the onus on him to anchor the innings and lead by example is magnified, and his shot selection under pressure has come under intense scrutiny. The absence of a calming presence like Shubman Gill, who often provides stability and big hundreds, further amplified the pressure on Pant and the relatively young batting lineup.

Brief Resistance: Sundar and Kuldeep’s Partnership

Amidst the gloom, a glimmer of hope emerged through the defiant partnership between Washington Sundar (48) and Kuldeep Yadav (19*). When India were reeling at 122/7, the duo ‘held fort for 2 hours and stitched a 72-run partnership,’ demonstrating resilience and buying valuable time for the hosts. Their gritty stand for the eighth wicket prevented an even quicker collapse and showcased the fighting spirit that was otherwise lacking. Sundar, who has often proven to be a reliable lower-order batter, was unfortunately dismissed for 48, missing out on a well-deserved half-century just as the second new ball became available.

The Road Ahead: A Herculean Task for India

With South Africa’s lead now stretching to a daunting 314 runs and two full days of cricket potentially remaining, India faces an almost insurmountable challenge. The pitch, while still offering some assistance to batters, is expected to show more cracks and provide increasing turn for the spinners as the game progresses into Day 4 and Day 5. South Africa’s high-quality spin attack, featuring Simon Harmer (who was instrumental in their Kolkata Test victory) and Keshav Maharaj, will undoubtedly be looking to exploit these conditions.

The pre-match discussions about India needing inspiration from historical comebacks – such as the 2003 Adelaide Test against Australia or the 2016 Chennai Test against England – now seem more like distant dreams than realistic possibilities. While those instances saw India overcome significant first-innings deficits (conceding 556 and 477 respectively), the current scenario demands an unprecedented batting effort followed by a miraculous bowling performance. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rishabh Pant will need to rally their troops, but a 2-0 series defeat appears to be the most probable outcome unless an extraordinary turnaround occurs.

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