Ind vs SA Test 2 Day 4 : Proteas Dominate, India Left Chasing 549
Day 4 in Guwahati became the turning point of this series. South Africa declared their second innings at 269/5, setting India an imposing target of 549 runs to win. The visitors took control on a wearing surface, led by a composed 94 by Tristan Stubbs and a potent bowling effort by India that nonetheless couldn’t curb the surge. India now face a colossal task as the series slips further from their hands.
What Happened on Day-3
After India were bowled out for just 201 in their first innings on Day 3, South Africa resumed their reply and reached 26/0 at stumps — building a lead of 314 runs. It set the stage for a declaration and huge target the following day.
Full Day 4 Breakdown
South Africa declare and pile on the pressure: South Africa took the final day in hand immediately. The openers looked solid and Stubbs struck with clarity, scoring 94 before being dismissed. Former captain Temba Bavuma added 49 runs, and the declaration at 269/5 allowed the Proteas to set India the mammoth target of 549. The shift in momentum was decisive, with India’s spinners unable to choke the run-flow.
India’s chase: realism sets in: India began their chase of 549 under immense pressure. Early wickets and the weight of history began to tell. The massive target, combined with a pitch showing signs of wear and turn, meant India had to bat with precision and intent. By stumps, the task remained hugely uphill — the momentum belonged with South Africa.
Day 4 : Session-wise Analysis
Morning Session — South Africa Build, India Look Flat
South Africa resumed their second innings with a clear plan: bat long enough to shut India out of the match. Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs were patient at the start, playing out the morning’s early swing. Once settled, the boundaries started flowing. India’s bowlers looked a touch flat — just two or three deliveries every over carried real threat. Stubbs’ calm control stood out; he punished anything short, rotated strike smartly, and made India work for every dot. By Lunch, South Africa had stretched the lead beyond 400, completely dictating the rhythm of the day.
Afternoon Session — Stubbs Takes Over, SA Declaration Looms
This was the session that cracked the game open. Stubbs began accelerating beautifully, using his feet to spin and picking gaps with confidence. India’s spinners stuck to their channels, but the surface had flattened slightly, allowing South Africa to score more freely. Bavuma missed a well-deserved fifty, but Stubbs carried the innings deeper, reaching into the 90s.
India finally dismissed him for 94, but the damage was done — the lead was already mountainous. South Africa pushed past 260 and declared soon after tea, handing India a gigantic 549-run target with almost two days left.
Evening Session — India Begin the Impossible Chase
India had the trickiest phase of the day: surviving the new ball as shadows lengthened. The pitch still had variable bounce, and South Africa’s pacers made full use of the hard ball. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal showed patience, leaving as much as they could and resisting the temptation to poke outside off.
The Proteas bowlers attacked the stumps, mixed in clever short balls, but India held on and ensured no wicket fell in that brief spell. Still, the pressure of a 549-run chase hung heavily. It felt like survival was the only goal, not scoring.
Top Performers on Day-4
Tristan Stubbs — 94 (Match-Defining Knock)
Stubbs’ innings was the heartbeat of Day 4. He combined calm footwork against spin with assertive stroke-play whenever India drifted in line. His control of tempo stood out — he absorbed pressure early, then expanded his scoring options with sweeps, drives, and crisp shots through cover. The difference between a lead of 420 and 549 was Stubbs, and it showed in the confidence with which South Africa declared. His 94 wasn’t just runs — it was a statement that pushed India out of the match.
Marco Jansen — Impact with Both Ball and Bat
Even though most of Jansen’s heavy running came on Day 3, his presence carried into Day 4. India felt his bounce, angle, and accuracy in that short burst with the new ball. With the bat, his earlier 93 set the tone for South Africa’s huge scoreboard cushion. Jansen’s all-round influence across both innings made him one of the series’ most impactful players so far.
Kuldeep Yadav — India’s Only Consistent Threat
Kuldeep has been India’s lone bright spot in the bowling department. Even on Day 4, when conditions softened, he found drift and bite. His dismissals came through deception — the air speed, wrong’uns, and subtle variations kept South Africa cautious. Though he bowled long spells, he never wavered. Kuldeep’s persistence prevented the Proteas from running completely away with the game.
What to Expect on Day-5
Day 5 is set up to be a tense finish. South Africa have the scoreboard advantage and the psychological edge, but India—armed with a worn ball, rough patches, and their three quality spinners—will walk out believing they can still force a collapse. Early wickets are everything. If India can break the Bavuma–de Zorzi resistance quickly, the game opens right up. But if South Africa bat even one good session, the pressure flips entirely, and India’s task turns into a rescue mission rather than a chase. Expect attacking fields, reverse swing in the morning, and a tactical battle that may stretch deep into the final session.
