Ind vs SA Test 2 Day 3: Jansen's 6-for Breaks India, SA Build Massive Lead
Day 3 in Guwahati saw South Africa tighten their grip, reducing India dramatically and ending with a colossal 314-run overall lead. The hosts, after promising starts, crumbled under pressure as a superb spell from Marco Jansen (6/48) and a gritty stand by Washington Sundar & Kuldeep Yadav kept India’s total to just 201. By stumps, South Africa were 26/0 in their second innings, leaving India staring at a near-impossible task.
What Happened on Day-2
On Day 2, South Africa piled up a commanding first-innings total of 489 thanks to a ton from Senuran Muthusamy and tight bowling from India that initially stemmed the flow. India’s reply started steadily but they ended the day at 9/0, still deep in the contest. The foundation for Day 3’s collapse was laid in those sessions.
India vs South Africa - 2nd Test • Day 3
South Africa tour of India 2025/26 • 22–26 November 2025
Day 3 Full Breakdown
India’s second-innings collapse: India resumed their first innings early, still trailing by nearly 300 runs. They reached 95/1 but then suffered a calamitous collapse, losing six wickets for just 27 runs in a brutal afternoon session. Jansen exploited the pitch and India’s frailties, finishing with 6/48, while Simon Harmer chipped in with 3/64. At 201 all out in 83.5 overs, India handed South Africa a mammoth 288-run lead.
South Africa’s second innings start: With the lead in the bag, South Africa opted to bat again. By stumps they were 26/0 (Rickelton 13*, Markram 12*), pushing the overall lead to 314 and leaving India needing to chase a target beyond hope. The openers were solid in fading light, and India looked beaten.
Pitch behaviour & match state: The Guwahati surface continued to assist the bowlers — variable bounce, sharp seam movement early and subtle turn as the day progressed. India’s batting looked increasingly uncomfortable under pressure. South Africa now control the match, heading into Day 4 with minimal risk and maximum reward.
Session-Wise Analysis
Morning Session
India resumed on Day 3 trailing significantly. They looked in control early as Jaiswal (58) and Sundar (48) batted patiently and built a stand. At lunch, the score was around 102/4, with India still alive.
Afternoon Session
This was the decisive phase — India lost their way quickly. Jansen’s barrage dismantled the batting and the collapse continued through Harmer and the seamers. South Africa moved from being behind to dominating.
Evening Session
With India all out, South Africa went into bat again and saw out the session at 26/0. The lead hit 314, and even bad light couldn’t save India from the sense of inevitability creeping in.
Top Performers on Day-3
Marco Jansen (South Africa) — 6/48: A spell that ripped India apart
Marco Jansen delivered one of the defining spells of the series — and arguably of his Test career. On a tricky Guwahati pitch offering uneven bounce and seam nibble, Jansen used his height, pace, and angle to perfection. His short-ball plan worked beautifully against India’s middle order, while his fuller deliveries trapped batters on the crease. India went from 95/1 looking steady to suddenly 122/7, a collapse sparked entirely by Jansen’s rhythm and aggression. Every breakthrough he took shifted the atmosphere inside the stadium — he bowled like a man who understood exactly what the match needed. His 6/48 wasn’t just a statistical standout — it was a psychological blow that India never recovered from.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India) — 58: Lone resistance in a collapsing innings
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58 on Day 3 was the only innings that looked composed and in control against South Africa’s relentless attack. He left well, punished anything loose, and played with a maturity far beyond his years. While wickets kept tumbling at the other end, Jaiswal maintained his focus and tempo, ensuring India didn’t fall into early chaos. His partnership-building intent was evident, but the support never came. As the innings wore on, Jansen’s short-ball barrage eventually broke through, but not before Jaiswal showcased grit, shot selection, and temperament. It was an innings that deserved more — but ended up being a bright spark in a day dominated by the visitors.
What to Expect on Day-4
Day 4 at Guwahati is poised to be all about South Africa deciding the size of the target and India’s fight for survival. With a 314-run lead already in the bag and all ten wickets intact, South Africa will look to bat for one strong session, stretch the lead beyond 400, and then unleash Harmer and Jansen on a surface that’s starting to grip and break up. For India, the first hour is huge: early wickets could keep the target within hope, but if South Africa bat long, the final innings might turn into an old-fashioned battle of survival on a wearing fourth-day pitch. All roads lead to a gripping — and tough — Day 4 for the hosts.
