IND VS SA Test: South Africa tighten grip as India face uphill battle in final test

WEB DESK: In the IND VS SA Test day-four, Proteas ended day 4 firmly in control of the second Test in Centurion, leaving India needing 522 runs in 90.1 overs to win, which is a target that now looks nearly impossible as the visitors closed the day at 27-2.

Earlier, the South Africa team declared their second innings at 260-5d, stretching their overall lead to a commanding 548 runs. Their batting dominance, backed by a disciplined approach on a wearing pitch, left India with a mountain to climb.

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India’s chase began on a shaky note. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who looked increasingly uncomfortable against the bounce, fell for 13 after edging to Kyle Verreynne off Marco Jansen. Soon after, KL Rahul was undone by the drift and dip of Simon Harmer, departing for 6 as India slipped to 20-2.

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At stumps, Sai Sudharsan (2) and Kuldeep Yadav (4) not-out were at the crease, fighting to survive rather than chase, as South Africa’s spinners tied down the scoring. Meanwhile, South Africa held a commanding 61.3 per cent.

Led by Harmer and Maharaj, South Africa’s bowlers found sharp turn and bounce, making India’s task even more daunting. With uneven patches on the pitch and a long day of attritional cricket ahead, India are staring at a near-impossible mission to save the Test.

As the series stands 1–0 in South Africa’s favor, the hosts look set to seal a clean sweep — unless India can produce one of the greatest last-day escapes in Test history.