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    On the other hand, India have ample time to go back to the drawing board and assess the next steps forward to improve in their own backyard. They are under a transition phase and their next home series will not be until early 2027, when they host Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. That can be a blessing in disguise as well. The coaching staff and leadership group have some serious soul-searching to do. The talent is undeniable. The results at home have been anything but. Well then, that wraps up a thoroughly absorbing Test series. South Africa take it hands down 2-0, and now both teams will shift their focus for the white-ball format as Ranchi is all set to host the first of the three ODIs on Sunday, 30th November. KL Rahul has the captain's armband for that series, in absence of Gill and will see the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for India. For South Africa, Temba Bavuma will continue to lead a fired up Proteas side. The first ball of the first ODI is scheduled to be bowled at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). But do make sure to mark your presence a bit earlier for all the pre-match buzz and buildup. Until then, we take your leave, only to meet again. Stay safe, cheers!

    Well then, another box ticked for South Africa. Another win the subcontinent. It is that man, Temba Bavuma, under whose leadership they have achieved these wins, which is no small feat. He now collects the Freedom Trophy and walks towards his teammates who wait for their captain behind the champions' board for the commemorative photographs. Truly, a moment to savour for the Rainbow Nation. They have a long break from red-ball cricket now as they will directly host a 3-match Test series against Australia, at home, in September next year.

    And now, the victorious South African captain, Temba Bavuma, is the one for a chat. He says that it is a massive win for them. Adds that after being out of the game for a while due to injury, you want to be part of things like this. Mentions that it is not every day that you can come to India and win 2-0, but the fact they have players who have been on the other side of the result and seen the dark days helps them a lot as well. Says that everyone in the team wants to contribute, even from the bench, the likes of Muthusamy and others have done well for them. Tells that communication is key to their success, and they may not have players who can score 100-150, but they have 3 or 4 players who can score those 60s and that shows how everyone wants to chip in. Further adds that Simon Harmer complements Maharaj very well. Mentions that Maharaj has been their guy in recent times, but it was Harmer who was excellent in this series and in the absence of KG, Jansen and Mulder also stepped up big time. Ends by saying that he can keep on going about his team but they are in a good space at the moment.

    Simon Harmer is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for picking up 17 wickets across two Tests. He starts by saying that it has been a long journey on the road. Highlights that he came back to India after 10 years and will leave the place with fond memories compared to the last time. Shares that he closely watched the way the ball was behaving after 40 overs when India came to bat in the second innings. Details that when the ball got a bit softer, it got a bit easier to bat. But also points out that there was an odd-ball on which Pant got out which bounced and turned. Says that they knew India would bat for their lives in the second innings but also tells that it was all about bowling in the right areas. Appreciates Markram and Jansen for taking sharp catches in the field. On the switch of ends, he shares that when he was bowling from that end, it felt like a left-hander's wicket. Also tells that the best way to operate was to bowl stump-to-stump. Then adds that it started to spin with the older ball and credits Temba Bavuma for that tactic. Calls Keshav Maharaj an incredible bowler and that he deserves to be called as the number 1 spinner. Says that he is happy to play the supporting role to Keshav. Ends by saying that it is all about evolving with time. Shares that he will head to another County Season for Essex and will play a few games for Titans back home as they don't play any Tests until next September.

    Marco Jansen is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational effort with both bat and ball. He says that if you win any Test match, it is a nice feeling, but when you win one in India and the series as well, it is special. Adds that everyone put their hands up in different situations. Mentions that they had a chat and made plans and adjusted according to the conditions if needed. Credits Shukri Conrad, the coach and says that he told him to play freely. Says that he was a bit tense in the first match but tried to express himself in this one and it worked. Further adds that everyone is working really hard and they are getting the results. Ends by saying that they play for each other and give their best.

    The Indian captain, Rishabh Pant, is up for a chat now. He reflects on the defeat by calling this series loss very disappointing. Admits that they need to get much better as a team and credits the opposition for outnumbering them. Says that they need to take the learning from it and can't take cricket for granted. Adds that they were ahead in the game in patches but didn't capitalise on them. Stresses that whether you are playing at home or away, cricket demands determination and an extra bit of effort. Says that as a batting unit, they need to capitalise on certain moments and admits that they didn't do that in this series.

    South Africa's Aiden Markram is up for a chat. He says that it is a great feeling and it was a great team effort. Adds that it is never easy to come to India and play in tough conditions that are foreign to them. Mentions that as a group, you have to believe that you can go up against the best in their backyard and with a few moments of luck, you can put in performances like this and he is very proud of the team. Says that as a team they have adjusted well to sub-continent conditions, winning in Pakistan first and now here. Further adds that a lot of chat was about spin, but India have two great seamers and it was tough, but Rickelton did well in the first hour alongside him. Tells that it shows the character in this team. Says that he didn't know about the record (most catches in a Test) and credits the bowlers for hitting the right areas. End by saying that the batters after the opening pair showed how to score big on this wicket and made them proud.

    ... THE PRESENTATION ...

    Apart from Simon Harmer, who completely dismantled Indian batting unit like his usual hobby, there were others who contributed impressively as well. Senuran Muthusamy, batting at number 7, outscored every South African batter and notched up the only century we saw in this Test series. Tristan Stubbs was just a hit away from being the second one, but he couldn't do so, but he thoroughly entertained with his gritty 94 against a deflated Indian bowling unit. And last, but not the least. The towering figure of Marco Jansen. How good was he in the absence of their premier bowler, Kagiso Rabada? Scored a breezy 93 with the bat, broke the back of the Indian batting unit with a sensational 6-fer and capped it off by taking a stunning catch of Siraj in the end.

    The blueprint for batting on challenging surfaces is not rocket science. Occupy the crease for as long as you can, wait for the bad ball, and construct your innings brick by brick, and more importantly, with patience. Sure, easier said than done. But South Africa followed this to the letter. They ran a marathon with the bat, playing over 150 overs in the first innings, and then even with some deterioration, worked hard for 78.3 overs in the second innings. That is, over 220 overs of batting. India kept trying to break down walls with their heads. There is bravery and then there is recklessness masquerading as intent. To compare both sides with the bat, barring one batter, each and every South African that took the crease, crossed the double digits in the first innings. And this was missing from the Indian middle order totally, barring the resistance of 208 balls shown by Sundar and Kuldeep. If your number 9 batter plays the most number of balls, 134 to be exact, by Kuldeep, then sure, questions will be raised on the approach on a surface which was not THAT difficult to bat on.

    This is not the first time India have crumbled at home. Earlier in this very series at Eden Gardens, they folded from 33/2 to 93 all out in the second innings. Not long ago, in 2024, Bengaluru witnessed an even worse collapse against New Zealand when they slipped from 31/3 to 46 all out, their second-lowest Test score ever. The pattern of home collapses is becoming worryingly familiar and is getting tagged with this Indian team now. And underscoring it all is their growing vulnerability against spin bowling on these supposed rank-turners. It was Simon Harmer who bossed up with his spin massively this time and finished with 17 wickets across two matches. He never let the Indian batters breathe freely and kept trapping them with his cunning variations and all the experience from first-class cricket.

    Poor shot selection has been the recurring theme right from the first innings, and it plagued them in the second innings as well. Apart from Jaiswal and Rahul, who fell to proper deliveries that deserved wickets in the first batting stint, everything else was a self-inflicted wound. Over 34.3, Sai Sudharsan threw it away to an absolute gimme ball. An over later, Dhruv Jurel gifts his wicket with a rash hack. Then came the real gut punch in over 37.2 when Rishabh Pant tried launching one over the lanky Jansen and only managed a thick edge through to the keeper. Boom. The collapse was complete. From a comfortable 95/1 to a disastrous 122/7. As they say, Rome was not destroyed in a day, but it burned in one night. India managed the batting equivalent in just a few overs.

    Second whitewash for India in around a year's time. It was New Zealand last year who had India completely on the mat with a 3-0 win. A lot of questions will be asked rightfully for such a lackadaisical display. But HOW and WHY have India landed themselves in such a mess? At home of all places? Is it technical frailties with the bat or has South Africa just been clinical with their plans? Truth is, it is a combination of both. Just look at how the Indian innings unraveled after Jaiswal departed in that first innings, and the story tells itself.

    Well, that absolute stunner from Jansen perfectly encapsulates South Africa's dominance right throughout this Test series. A special, special moment in the history of South African cricket as they have executed a whitewash against India at their own backyard by 2-0. This is their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years. A complete team effort by the Proteas and what a run this has been for them on the road. They leveled it up 1-1 against Pakistan after losing the first match, won the World Test Championship Final in England earlier this year, also conquered Dhaka and Chattogram last year. And have completely decimated the Indians in front of their home crowd. The South African captain, Temba Bavuma, sprints towards the dugout and gets a warm hug from the head coach, Shukri Conrad, as he keeps his unbeaten run as a captain intact in Test cricket. With this, South Africa have handed India their biggest Test defeat by runs in history.

    63.5OUT! TAKEN! My word, that is an unbelievable catch from Marco Jansen, and if that does not sum up this series for South Africa, then nothing else can. Keshav Maharaj loops it up, full and on middle, Mohammed Siraj gets his front leg out of the way, and lofts it nicely over the bowler's head. It goes miles in the air, but Jansen from mid on runs backwards and keeps his eyes on the ball. He stretches out his left hand and grabs a stunner tumbling onto the ground. Siraj cannot believe it, nor can Temba Bavuma. All the Proteas players run towards Jansen, and the celebration begins for them. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 408 RUNS AND TAKE THE SERIES 2-0.

    63.4Floated, full and on middle, Mohammed Siraj defends it onto the pitch.

    63.3Fires one full, on middle, angling in, Mohammed Siraj blocks it out.

    63.2NOT OUT! Flighted, full and on off, turns away a bi, Mohammed Siraj swings at it but misses. Kyle Verreynne collects it behind the stumps and takes the bails off in a flash. He appeals for it and it has been sent upstairs. The replay shows that Siraj's back foot did go in the air but he gets it down in time.

    An umpire's referral for stumping. Siraj misses connecting the ball and it beats the outside edge. Kyle Verreynne collects the ball behind the stumps and whips the bails off in a flash. Siraj does lift his back leg for a moment, but gets it grounded just in the nick of time. Not out.

    Mohammed Siraj is the last batter in for India.

    63.1OUT! STUMPED! Keshav Maharaj joins the party finally. He tosses it up, full and around off, turns in sharply. Ravindra Jadeja skips down the track to slog it across the line but gets nowhere near the pitch of the ball. He gets beaten on the flight and misses as it goes behind, where Kyle Verreynne collects it and breaks the stumps. The third umpire is called in and the replay shows that Jadeja is well short of his crease. He departs for a gritty 54 off 87, and India are nine down now. South Africa can see the finishing line now.

    Is Jadeja stumped out? The South Africans are already celebrating and Jadeja is walking off as well. He is clearly out of the crease when Kyle Verreynne dislodges the bails. OUT loads on the giant screen. South Africa are just a solitary wicket away from scripting history.

    62.6Keeps it short and around leg, Ravindra Jadeja moves back and nudges it through square leg for a run and retains the strike.

    62.61 run.

    62.5Play and a miss! Floated, full and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja tries to reach out and drive it away but fails to connect.

    62.4Flatter, full and on leg, Ravindra Jadeja clips it towards short fine. Thinks about the run but decides against it.

    62.3Intent! Tossed up, full and on off, Jasprit Bumrah goes down and slog sweeps it wide of deep mid-wicket. Temba Bavuma runs to his left and pushes the ball back inside. A single taken.

    62.2Goes short and on off, Jasprit Bumrah moves back and keeps it out.

    Jasprit Bumrah is in at number 10.

    62.1OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Simon Harmer gets his sixth wicket now, and the writing is on the wall for India. Tossed up, full and around off, turns in a bit and sticks to the surface a bit as well. Nitish Kumar Reddy goes down on one knee to play the reverse sweep but goes through the shot way early. The ball spins and lobs up off the gloves, and the keeper, Kyle Verreynne, moves forward to take a dolly. Reddy walks back for a duck and India are 138/8 now. South Africa just 2 wickets away from the win now.

    61.6On a fuller length, just outisde off, Jadeja pushes it firmly back to Maharaj.

    61.5Flat and full, outside off, Jadeja reaches out for a reverse sweep but the ball bounces and beats the top edge.

    61.4Prodigious turn and bounce! The ball jagged in viciously from outside off. Jadeja rocked back, decided against the shot, and let it pass, but not cleanly. It grazed his ribs on its way through to the keeper, but flying past his right, down leg. The batters crossed twice and it is called byes, but that clearly deflected off the batter. Surely the umpire didn't spot that one.

    Uh..oh! Ravindra Jadeja looks in a bit of pain here. He has taken a nasty blow to his ribs. However, he has shaken that off and is ready to go again.

    61.3Ouch! That must have stung him! Spins sharply into the batter from a length, Ravindra Jadeja is sucked into the shot and pushes at it off the front foot. But the ball lands on one of those footmarks and spins down leg, beating the inside edge. Lobs off the ribcage of the batter and drops to the right of the forward short leg fielder.

    61.2Just outside off, on a length, Jadeja defends off the back foot.

    The umpires are having a check on the ball, and it looks like they are not happy with its condition. They have asked for the replacement. Also, they have taken this opportunity to call for DRINKS as well. South Africa started superbly with Senuran Muthusamy removing Sai Sudharsan after his marathon defensive knock. However, after that, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja showed some resistance, but it was Simon Harmer who broke it and registered a fine fifer. Aiden Markram also grabbed his 9th catch of the match, and now stands alone at the top of the list of non-wicketkeepers with most catches in a Test match. The Proteas are just 3 wickets away from another famous win, but they have to break this partnership, which is the last recognised batting pair for the hosts.

    61.1SIX! FIFTY FOR RAVINDRA JADEJA! The sword is out as he gets to his 28th Test half century, going with six tons. Right into the slot from Maharaj, on the stumps, spinning in. Ravindra Jadeja shimmies down the track and lofts it cleanly over deep mid-wicket for a six. He has been such an asset as an all-rounder for this Indian team.

    60.6Fuller one, on off, Reddy defends on the front foot.

    60.5Around off and full, blocked off the front foot by NKR.

    Nitish Kumar Reddy walks out to bat now.

    60.4OUT! OFF THE EDGE AND TAKEN! A sensational take from Aiden Markram as this is his 9th catch of this Test. With this, Markram now has the record of taking the most number of catches in a Test match by any non wicket-keeper. Simply outstanding stuff from him. Simon Harmer gets maiden five-wicket haul in India and breaks the 35-run alliance for the seventh wicket. Harmer lands it on a good length, and gets sharp turn and bounce from the deck. Washington Sundar gets in a bit of a tangle. He is neither on the front foot nor committed on the back foot, and ends up poking tamely at it away from his body. Outside edges and it goes real quick to the right of the first slip fielder. Despite very little time frame to react, Aiden Markram shows excellent reflexes and takes a fine catch to his right. Washington Sundar departs on 16 (44) and India are 130/7. South Africa now need just 3 wickets to execute a clean sweep.

    60.3Full and around off, Sundar drags the bat in front and defends it to the off side.

    60.2Stays low from a length, tucked across through square leg for a single.

    60.1FOUR! Top shot! With several men around the bat, Harmer drops it too full and on off. Ravindra Jadeja shimmies a bit and lofts it over the bowler for a boundary to the left of long off.

    59.6Full and on off, defended down the pitch off the front foot by Sundar.

    59.5Spins in from the footmark, on a fuller length, around off. Washington Sundar takes a massive stride across and taps it to the point region.

    59.4Pushed fuller, on middle, defended back to the bowler.

    59.3FOUR! Complimenting each other really well, are these two! Flatter delivery, sliding on the leg stump on a fuller length. Washington Sundar rolls his wrists skillfully and sweeps it fine enough to find the fence at deep fine leg.

    59.2Around off and full, Sundar strides across on the front foot and pads it away.

    59.1Shortish on a length, on off, Sundar hangs back and across as he nudges it to mid-wicket.

    58.6Too full and on middle, Sundar lunges ahead and steers it to the left of short leg for a single.

    58.5Flatter delivery, on a length, around off, Jadeja hangs back and works it through wide mid off for a single.

    58.4BEATEN! Harmer is constantly asking questions to the batters! Slides one into the batter, on a fuller length, at almost 90 kph. It lands and spins across the bat's face as Jadeja is sucked into the defensive shot.

    58.3Fuller and on the stumps again, Jadeja stabs it back to the bowler.

    58.2Very full, on the stumps, paddled fine to short fine leg.

    58.1On a length, around off, Sundar punches it wide of cover for a single.

    57.6FOUR! Jadeja keeping himself busy! Drifter on the leg stump line, on a fuller length. Ravindra Jadeja stretches a long way forward and sweeps it to deep fine leg for a boundary.

    57.5Full and wide on off, steered away through point for a single.

    57.4Missed the stumps by a whisker! Muthusamy darts it on a length, and gets it to spin in from the rough. Washington Sundar gets way across and tries to leave. But the ball spins sharply and deflects off the back thigh. Luckily for him, it drops and rolls wide of the leg stump.

    57.3At 85.8 kph, full and around off, Sundar taps it under his bat with soft hands.

    57.2Pushed through on a fuller length, Sundar pushes it back to the bowler.

    57.1Full, on middle, eased across to mid-wicket.

    56.6Fractionally fuller and on off, dips on the batter and then spits up from the pitch with turn. Ravindra Jadeja gets on the front foot to defend, but the ball lobs off the shoulder of the bat and drops safe in the silly point region.

    56.5More purchase! Turns away dramatically from the rough patch, full and outside off. Ravindra Jadeja draws the front foot forward to defend, but the ball spins past the blade to beat the outside edge.

    56.4Around off, on a length, blocked off the back foot.

    56.3Full and outside off, spinning away, steered to point by Jadeja.

    56.2TURN AND BOUNCE! Flatter delivery, short and spinning away with bounce. Ravindra Jadeja is deceived by that and gets beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

    56.1FOUR! Smashed! Drops it full and on the off stump line. Ravindra Jadeja steps down the track and spanks it over the bowler and gets a boundary straight down the ground.

    Simon Harmer (19-6-23-4) is back on after a short break. Change of ends for him, He has been more effective from the other end in this game.

    55.6Full, on off, blocked into the off side.

    55.5A half-hearted appeal for LBW, but that's clearly gone off the edge. Was a full delivery that spun into the batter. Sundar got down on his knee for a sweep shot, and the ball grazed his left elbow before deflecting wide of the first slip fielder.

    55.4Pushed fuller and straighter on middle. Washington Sundar pushes it back to the bowler.

    55.3Pops up a bit from a fuller length, on off. Washington Sundar leans forward and fends it off the gloves to the short leg fielder.

    55.2Pitched fuller and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja sweeps it in front of square for a single.

    55.1Good leave! Lands it one of those footmarks, full and outside off. It sharply spins in. Jadeja drags his front leg across and offers no shot.

    54.6Bingo! Hits the deck hard, and angles it on top of off. Washington Sundar watchfully bunts that away to the point region.

    54.5Nice and full, outside off, Sundar lets it be. Expect one to come into him now.

    54.4Slams the deck hard, does Jansen. It is outside the off stump line and Sundar leaves.

    54.3Stays low on a good length, miles outside off. Sundar is happy to let that go.

    54.2Spears it in, full and on the stumps, at 138.4 kph. Washington Sundar is solid on the front foot as he defends it out to cover.

    54.1Short of a length, outside off. Jadeja rides the bounce and steers it through backward point for an easy single.

    53.6A quicker delivery, skidding low, around off. Ravindra Jadeja covers the line and tries to defend, but the ball goes off the thick outside edge to the right of short third for a single.

    53.5An in-dipper that goes straight on, full in length. Washington Sundar opens the bat face at the point of contact and the ball rolls to the left of the first slip for a single.

    53.4Turns in a shade from off, on a fuller length, Sundar pushes it back to Senuran.

    53.3Plays with a straight bat and blocks the fuller delivery.

    53.2He defends the full ball back to the bowler off the front foot.

    53.1Floated fuller and on middle, Washington Sundar brings his hands in front and sweeps it to the left of deep square leg. Simon Harmer puts in the hard yards to his left, dives and cuts it off before the ropes. Two taken.

    52.6Fired in fuller and on off, Ravindra Jadeja stretches forward and blocks it off the inside half of the bat to mid-wicket.

    52.5Short of a good length, at 136.1 kph, jagging back in with some bounce. Ravindra Jadeja does not offer any shot on the back foot. The ball lobs off the thigh pad and lands in front of the slip cordon.

    52.4Nips back in a touch, on a length, Ravindra Jadeja plays with a straight bat and blocks it.

    52.3Just kicks up a bit from a hard length, around off. Ravindra Jadeja rides the bounce and dabs it with soft hands to the second slip.

    52.2Hits the deck hard, at 134.8 kph, just outside off. Ravindra Jadeja hangs back and bunts it down the pitch solidly.

    52.1Angling in a good length, Washington Sundar gets a bit across and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

    51.6Flatter and fuller, just outside off. Ravindra Jadeja defends it right under the bat, and the ball spins back towards the keeper. But cheekily, Jadeja deflects the ball away with his bat. That wasn't even on the course to hit the stumps.

    51.5On the fourth stump line, on a fuller length. Ravindra Jadeja leans on and smothers the spin.

    51.4Pushes it fuller and on off, Ravindra Jadeja blocks it to catching mid-wicket.

    51.3Undercuts it on a length, around off. Ravindra Jadeja hangs back and blocks it onto the pitch.

    51.2Really full, on off, carved back to the bowler by Jadeja.

    51.1Short and wide outside off. Jadeja leaves it alone.

    50.6Too full, shaping a bit into the batter, Sundar drills it away to mid off.

    50.5Hard length, but a bit too straight down leg. Sundar misses out on the flick shot.

    50.4There's the reverse swing! On a good length, cutting back into the batter, just around off. Washington Sundar makes a tight leave as the ball breezes past just over the off pole.

    50.3On a hard length, at 136 kph, reversing a bit as well. Washington Sundar is beaten on the back foot defence as the ball rams into his back thigh pad.

    50.2An attempted yorker, tailing into the batter. Washington Sundar jams the bat down in the nick of time and carves it across to mid-wicket.

    50.1Skids through a good length, on off, Washington Sundar bunts it off the back foot to the point region.

    49.6Overpitched at 84.9 kph, around off. Washington Sundar drives it along the ground to long on for a single.

    49.5Fuller one, on off, Washington Sundar defends off the front foot.

    49.4Dishes out a low full toss, on off, Washington Sundar drives it straight to extra cover.

    49.3On a fuller length, on middle, flicked away to mid-wicket.

    49.2Very full, spinning in from the rough. Ravindra Jadeja chips it a bit uppishly, but wide of mid-wicket to his right for a single.

    49.1Full and outside off, Jadeja drags the pad across and leaves.

    STAT - Earlier this year, the pair of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar grinded a draw against England in Manchester. How many overs did they bat, you ask? It was around 57 overs, and there are 57 overs left in this game as well. However, there is a lot of difference between the two pitches, and it will need a special effort from the hosts here.

    48.6Another one bashed on a length, outside off, Sundar offers nothing to it.

    48.5Good length, outside off, left alone by Sundar.

    48.4FOUR! Gets it up and over! Fuller in length, around off and middle. Washington Sundar flicks it just above backward square leg for a boundary. 100 UP FOR INDIA!

    48.3On a good length, angling into the batter. Ravindra Jadeja uses his wrists to nudge it through backward square leg for a single.

    48.2On a back of a length, on off. Ravindra Jadeja blocks it a bit late and the ball bounces past the stumps to the right of the keeper.

    48.1Marco Jansen is into the attack now. On a hard length, just outside off, Ravindra Jadeja lets it pass.

    47.6Full and on the fourth stump, Sundar gets on the front foot and flicks it to mid-wicket.

    Washington Sundar is the next man in.

    47.5OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Senuran Muthusamy strikes in his first over and ends Sai Sudharsan's defensive blockathon. While defending for a long time, there is always a scare of one odd ball having your name and this one from Muthsamy had it. A full ball, just around the off stump. The ball lands and this one doesn't spin at all. Sai Sudharsan is drawn forward to smother the spin. The ball goes off the outside edge towards first slip, where none other than Aiden Markram gets low and takes a fine catch. A record 8th catch for him in this Test match. Sai Sudharsan departs on 14 off 139 balls and India are 95/6. South Africa need 4 wickets to win now.

    47.4Pitched full and around off and middle, Ravindra Jadeja drills it off the front foot to long on for a single.

    47.3Much closer to the off pole, full in length. Ravindra Jadeja gets forward and defends.

    47.2Spins past the batter on a fuller length, Jadeja leaves.

    47.1FOUR! An absolute gift from Muthusamy to start off the session! A juicy full toss, outside off. Ravindra Jadeja finds the gap and smashes it to the right of the diving extra cover fielder for a boundary.

    We are back for action after the Tea break! The two umpires are making their way out to the middle now. We can also see Senuran Muthusamy rolling his arms. Maybe we can see him bowl in this session. Now, the South African players get into a huddle before spreading out and taking their respective field positions. Ravindra Jadeja and Sai Sudharsan to continue the resistance with the bat for India. Well, it will be Muthusamy to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

    ... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

    Still, Sai Sudharsan found a willing partner in Ravindra Jadeja, who walked in with positive intent, and that approach looked spot on in these conditions. The pair put on 42 runs, but more importantly, they ensured India stayed afloat by batting through to the end of the session and preventing any further damage. Simon Harmer continued from one end without a break and remains South Africa’s biggest weapon, while the tourists will be eager for Keshav Maharaj to rediscover his touch. If he does, South Africa could look to close things out in the next session. For India, the batters yet to come must draw confidence from the fight shown by Sai and Jadeja and look to dig deep if they are to grind out a draw. Join us at 11.20 am IST (8.50 am GMT) to catch all the action in the post-Tea session.

    South Africa could have been in an even stronger position had Marco Jansen not overstepped after nicking Sai Sudharsan early in the session. From there on, Sai Sudharsan went into survival mode at one end, and while that approach has worked so far, on surfaces like these, it can also prove risky because all it takes is one unplayable delivery. If Sai managed to dig in, Kuldeep Yadav couldn’t last long at the other end, and soon after, the major breakthroughs of Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant followed. The slide left India reeling at 58/5, firmly under South Africa’s control.

    SESSION SUMMARY - 63 runs and 3 wickets in 31.1 overs! Another passage of play, another dominant show from the Proteas. For a moment, it looked like India were riding their luck, with a couple of chances going in their favour, but South Africa quickly brushed that aside and seized control once again. Three crucial wickets fell in the session, all engineered by the ever-dangerous Simon Harmer, who continues to haunt the hosts and stamp his authority on the series.

    46.6Dropped a tad short and just outside off. Sai Sudharsan hangs deep inside the crease and cuts it to widish cover, but it is cut off by the fielder there. And that will be TEA on Day 5!

    46.5On a fuller length, on off, Sai Sudharsan draws the front leg forward and blocks right under his bat.

    46.4Length ball, outside off, steered towards cover-point off the back foot.

    46.3On a shorter length, just outside off. Sai Sudharsan gets on the back foot and punches it to the off side. Temba Bavuma dives to his left from extra cover and cuts it off. Could have been a single there, but they settle in by not running.

    46.2Shorter delivery, outside off, spinning away. Sai Sudharsan commits on the front foot but offers no shot and sees that one off.

    46.1A bit too full, on the leg stump, at 88.1 kph, Ravindra Jadeja drills it through mid on for a single.

    45.6Outside off and full, smothers the spin, does Sai.

    45.5Drifts into the batter and spins past the off stump, on a fuller length. Sai Sudharsan is beaten on the front foot defence, and the ball evades Kyle Verreynne, to his left. Aiden Markram at first slip tries to cut it off with his right leg, but the ball evades him as well and rolls behind for a couple of byes.

    45.4Looped up on middle, Sai Sudharsan defends off the front foot.

    45.3Touch full and on the leg stump. Ravindra Jadeja collapses his back knee into the pitch and pulls it through backward square leg for a single.

    45.2Landed full and on off, Ravindra Jadeja presses forward and blocks it to silly point.

    45.1On a length, on middle, this is nudged off the back foot to mid-wicket.

    44.6On a fuller length, in front of the sticks. Sai defends with a straight bat.

    44.5Flighted up and around off, Sai Sudharsan drives the full ball straight to short extra cover.

    44.4Drifting onto the pads, Sai Sudharsan brings the bat in front of the pads, and blocks.

    44.3Tossed up on middle, pushed straight back to Markram.

    44.2Fuller one, on the leg stump. Ravindra Jadeja sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

    44.1Sliding into the batter, on a fuller length. Ravindra Jadeja gets on the front foot to defend, but misses and the ball beats the inside edge and rolls off the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but not given.

    Aiden Markram will bowl for the first time in this innings.

    43.6Pushed fuller and sliding in from off. Ravindra Jadeja leans ahead to defend, but the ball rolls off the inside edge to the mid-wicket region and they cross for a single.

    43.5On a fuller length, on middle, Ravindra Jadeja sweeps it all along the ground to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

    43.4On a good length, spinning away with bounce. Ravindra Jadeja is squared up completely and the outside edge is found. But as it is played with soft hands, the ball rolls wide of short third.

    43.3A very lengthy appeal for LBW, but not given. Maybe going down leg, this one. South Africa do not review. This is quicker through the air, on a fullish length, on the leg stump line and sliding down further. Ravindra Jadeja tries to clip it into the leg side, but misses and wears on the front pad.

    43.2Delays the release a bit and flights it on a length, around off. Jadeja backs away and punches it to short cover.

    43.1Arm ball, full and on off. Ravindra Jadeja presses forward and defends out.

    42.6Dropped fuller and around off, Sai Sudharsan stretches forward and blocks to silly point.

    42.5Short of a length, sliding on the leg stump. Ravindra Jadeja whips it across off the back foot and picks up a single at deep backward square leg.

    42.4On a length, just outside off, knocked to the right of short leg.

    42.3Outside off, slightly fuller. Ravindra Jadeja gets his pad across and offers no shot.

    42.2A yard behind full length, on off. Ravindra Jadeja punches it back to the bowler.

    42.1SIX! Quick hands! Keshav serves it up, on a fuller length, just outside off. Ravindra Jadeja picks the length in a trice and launches it over cow corner for a huge six. Perfectly off the middle of the blade.

    41.6The length is dragged back, on off. Sai Sudharsan bunts it down the surface off the back foot.

    41.5Pitched around middle and leg, Ravindra Jadeja sweeps this full ball to deep square leg for a single.

    41.4Pushed around off, full in length, Jadeja defends it to short cover.

    41.3Tossed towards the off pole, Ravindra Jadeja defends.

    41.2Fuller and on middle, solidly blocked off by Jadeja.

    41.1A half-hearted appeal for LBW, but that was always sliding down leg. Short of a length, skidding through on the leg stump line. Ravindra Jadeja transfers the weight on the back foot and tries to pull it on the leg side, but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets a blow on the thigh pad.

    40.6Fullish, on the fourth stump, spinning in a bit. Sai Sudharsan leans across and blocks.

    40.5Lands it full and around off, Sai Sudharsan smothers the spin off the front foot.

    40.4Sharp turn as this one goes across the batter from off, on a length. Ravindra Jadeja gets on the back foot and tickles it to the left of short fine leg for a single.

    40.3Pitched outside off, on a fuller length. Ravindra Jadeja strides across and clips it to the right of short leg.

    40.2Fuller one, on off, Jadeja leans on and taps it back to Maharaj.

    40.1Not full and not short either. Spins in from off, Ravindra Jadeja tucks it across to mid-wicket.

    39.6Pushed through, full and on the leg stump, Sai Sudharsan defends on the front foot.

    39.5Shortish delivery, outside off, Sai steers it off the back foot to short third.

    39.4Slower through the air, full and on middle. Sai Sudharsan gets a big stride forward and blocks it back to Simon.

    39.3BEATEN! Slowish delivery at 85.1, short and outside off. It stays low considerably and beats the bottom edge of Sai Sudharsan as he attempts for a late cut.

    South Africa are not happy with the ball as a part of the leather is sticking out. The umpire brings out the scissor to cut it away, and we are good to go again.

    39.2A rare full toss, on the stumps, Sai Sudharsan whips it on the front foot, but cannot get it past Tony de Zorzi's intervention at short leg.

    39.1Spins away from off, on a good length. Sai Sudharsan gets on the front foot, and hides the bat behind the front pad to leave.

    38.6Full and at the toes of the batter. Ravindra Jadeja blocks it to the right of Tony de Zorzi at forward short leg.

    38.5Very full at 81.4 kph, on middle. Sai Sudharsan drills it in front of mid on and pinches in a single.

    38.4On a fractionally fuller length, aimed at the stumps, blocked straight.

    38.3Slightly short and just outside off. Sai Sudharsan bunts it off the back foot to silly point.

    38.2This one skids low, and turns in sharply from off. Sai Sudharsan gets back and across and tucks it to the right of short leg.

    38.1Length ball, drifting into the batter. Ravindra Jadeja is rushed on the back foot and nudges it through square leg for a single.

    37.6Floated up and on middle, Sai Sudharsan gently pushes this full ball back to the bowler.

    37.5Overpitched delivery at 77 kph, on middle. Sai opens the bat face at the point of contact and eases it to the left of short third.

    37.4Slides in with a good loop, and then spins away from a fuller length. Sai offers no shot and leaves.

    37.3Landed full and on off, pushed back to the bowler off the front foot.

    37.2Turns in from a fuller length, on off. Sai Sudharsan gets an inside edge on the front pad as he tries to defend.

    37.1On a length, on middle, punched back to the bowler.

    36.6Oh, that has turned miles! On a length, it bounces and turns across the batter from outside off. Sai gets inside the line and leaves it on the back foot. The ball is out of Kyle Verreynne's reach behind the stumps, and rolls behind, to the left of the leg slip fielder. They cross for a bye.

    36.5Pushed through, full and on off, Sai Sudharsan is solid in defence.

    Sai Sudharsan has taken a blow on his left hand, and the physio is in to check on him. This is one of those that will sting for a while. Sai is good to continue now.

    36.4On a length, spinning in with bounce, on off. Sai Sudharsan drags the front foot ahead to block, but takes a blow on his gloves.

    36.3Full, on middle, Sai Sudharsan watchfully defends it back to the bowler.

    36.2Full and around off and middle. Ravindra Jadeja tries to whip off the pads, but gets an inside edge onto the front pad. It then lobs up and drops to the left of Tony de Zorzi's extended left hand at short leg.

    36.1At 85.9 kph, full and on off, Jadeja pushes it off the front foot to the right of the bowler.

    35.6Loopy delivery on a length, just outside off. Sai Sudharsan deliberately lets the ball hit the pads as he offers no shot on the back foot.

    35.5Tossed up, full and around off, eased into the off side off the front foot.

    35.4A stifled appeal for LBW, but wanes away almost instantly. The edge saves Sai here. This one skids through and goes on with the arm. On a length, on the middle and leg stump line. Sai Sudharsan commits on the back foot and gets a bit across to block, but only gets a thin inside edge onto the front pad.

    35.3Fuller and flighted on off, Sai Sudharsan blocks it out.

    35.2JAFFA! Drifts in and then spins viciously away from off with some bounce. Sai lunges forward to defend, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

    35.1Dropped short and on off, Ravindra Jadeja backs away quickly and punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

    34.6Dishes out a full ball, on off. Sai Sudharsan gets on the front foot and defends right under the eyes.

    34.5Just a bit too full, on off, Ravindra Jadeja works it down to long on for a single.

    34.4Full and on the stumps, Sai Sudharsan shapes up for the sweep shot, but gets a thick top edge towards deep square leg for a single.

    34.3A big appeal for LBW, but not given. Height, is what Bavuma gestures and they don't go upstairs. Fuller one, turning sharply off the pitch, just around off. Sai Sudharsan draws his front foot forward, but does not offer any shot, and lets the ball thud the front pad.

    34.2A bit too full, around off, Jadeja leans on and drills it to widish mid off for a single.

    34.1At 84.3 kph, on a length, around middle and leg. Dabbed off the back foot to short leg.

    33.6Spins away from the batter, on a length, Sai leaves.

    33.5Fuller and on off, Sai smothers the spin.

    33.4Length ball, defended off the back foot.

    33.3EDGED, FOUR! Just out of reach! Harmer drops it full and gets a sharp turn from the off stump. Sai Sudharsan pushes at the delivery and gets a thick outside edge. The ball shoots low, but to the left of Aiden Markram at first slip. He is seemingly a bit late to react, and drags his hands to the left, but the ball evades him to run behind to the fence.

    33.2Nicely flighted on a fuller length, Ravindra Jadeja brings his hands in front and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single.

    33.1Just outside off, full in length, Jadeja opens the bat face on the front foot and steers it to point.

    32.6Another length ball, turning and bouncing into the batter. Sai is staunch in blocking it off the back foot.

    32.5Spins in with bounce, on a length. Sai Sudharsan bunts it down the pitch off the back foot.

    32.4The length is dragged back, on the leg stump. Sai Sudharsan goes back and dabs it in front of short leg.

    32.3Outside off, full in length, Sai strides across to defend, but the ball thuds the front pad as he is a bit late to drag the bat in front.

    32.2Around off, full, Sai takes a giant stride out and blocks.

    32.1Nicely tossed up, full and on the stumps. Jadeja sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

    31.6Tossed up nicely, full and on the stumps, Sai defends it out by lunging ahead.

    31.5Fuller and on middle, swept past square leg for a single.

    31.4In-drifter, on a length, at the stumps. Jadeja blocks off the back foot.

    31.3Fuller, on middle, Jadeja draws the front foot ahead to block.

    Ravindra Jadeja comes out to the middle now.

    31.2OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Harmer does the trick once again and gets his fourth wicket. A lovely release off the hand, nicely tossed up on a fuller length, just around off. It lands and spins sharply with a good bit of bounce. Rishabh Pant is sucked into the defensive shot and leans forward. Only gets a thick outside edge off the shoulder of the bat. The ball pops up in front of Markram at the first slip and the way he has been a live wire in that position, takes a fine catch moving forward. His 7th of this Test match. India have lost half their side down now and disappointment continues for Pant with the bat.

    31.1Around middle and leg, full in length, Pant leans forward and taps it into the leg side with soft hands.

    DRINKS BREAK. South Africa have dominated the first hour, just like the way they have bossed up the whole series. Though the wicket tally could have been much more denting, had a couple of chances been converted. Simon Harmer has been a thorn in the Indian flesh through and through and he was the one who broke the resistance with a double whammy. Sudharsan has been staunch in blocking everything, and has held one end. Whereas Pant is expected to play his usual self, but by mixing caution and aggression. The Proteas will be looking to get a couple of more wickets before Tea. While these two will want to bat it through the session.

    30.6Drags his length back, on off, Sai Sudharsan stays back and stabs it out on the bounce to the left of first slip.

    30.5Slower through the air, full and middle and off, Sai Sudharsan is solid in his defense.

    30.4Flighted, full and on off, Sai Sudharsan defends it on the front foot.

    30.3Flatter, shortish and around off, turns in sharply. Sai Sudharsan moves deep in his crease and fends it off his gloves onto the pitch.

    30.2Quicker, short and on off, Sai Sudharsan moves back and pats it to the left of first slip.

    30.1Floated, full and on off, Rishabh Pant pushes it towards covers for a single.

    29.6Tossed up, full and on off, Sai Sudharsan lunges out and fends it on the bounce towards first slip.

    29.5Nicely bowled! Floated, full and on off, turns away again, Sai Sudharsan strides out to play at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. Wasn't that far away this time.

    29.4Much slower through the air, full and on off, turns away sharply. Sai Sudharsan gets on the front foot very early to defend as the ball spins well past the outside edge.

    29.3Flighted, full and on off, turns away, Sai Sudharsan prods forward and opens the face of his bat to steer it to gully.

    29.2Goes short and on off, Sai Sudharsan moves back and punches it to extra cover.

    29.1Flatter delivery, full and on middle, Sai Sudharsan gets forward and blocks it down the pitch.

    28.6A bit quicker, full and on middle, Rishabh Pant is solid in his defense.

    28.5SIX! That's the way Rishabh Pant plays! Tossed up, full and on off, Pant dances down the track to get closer to the pitch of the ball and tonks it over the long off fence for a biggie.

    28.4Slows it up, full and on off, Rishabh Pant defends it on the front foot.

    28.3FOUR! Put away! Drags his length back and just around off, Rishabh Pant shifts his weight on the back foot and punches it sweetly through covers for a boundary.

    28.2Goes a bit short and on off, lands on the rough and turns in sharply, Rishabh Pant gets a bit cramped up for room but manages to pat it down to short leg.

    28.1Floated, full and on off, Rishabh Pant strides across and blocks it out.

    Spin from both ends now. Keshav Maharaj (3-1-5-0) is brought into the attack, replacing Marco Jansen.

    27.6Fires one full and on leg, Sai Sudharsan clips it away off the inner half of the bat towards the fine leg region for a couple of runs.

    27.5Short and on off, turns away a bit, Rishabh Pant flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

    27.4Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, Rishabh Pant stays back and keeps it out to the leg side.

    27.3Flighted delivery, full and on off, Rishabh Pant uses his feet and drives it but straight to extra cover.

    27.2Floated, full and on middle, Rishabh Pant knocks it back to the bowler.

    27.1Tossed up, full and on middle, Rishabh Pant gets forward and fends it away.

    26.6Maiden over! Pitched up and around off, angling further away, Sai Sudharsan does not bother chasing after that one.

    26.5Another bouncer, on middle, angling away from the batter, Sai Sudharsan ducks under it. Kyle Verreynne, the keeper, takes it on the bounce.

    26.4Bangs in a good bouncer now, on middle, Sai Sudharsan crouches low and sways away from it.

    26.3Hard-length delivery but down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan lets it go to the keeper. Jansen is trying to make Sai play on this line, as there is a leg slip in place here.

    26.2Comes around the wicket, serves it full, on middle, Sai Sudharsan blocks it out.

    26.1Marco Jansen nails a yorker, on off, swinging inwards in the air, Sai Sudharsan gets his bat down int time to jam it out well.

    25.6Darts in a yorker, on leg, Rishabh Pant digs it out towards silly point.

    25.5Shortish and on off, Sai Sudharsan stabs it out to the left of cover and picks up a run.

    25.4Much slower through the air, full and on middle, Sai Sudharsan defends it on the front foot.

    25.3Drags his length back and around off, Sai Sudharsan stays back and punches it to covers.

    25.2Tossed up, full and on off, turns away, Sai Sudharsan strides out and fends it off the outer half of the bat along the ground towards backward point.

    25.1Short and on middle, Rishabh Pant moves back and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. Gets off the mark.

    24.6Back of a length but angling way down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan makes an easy leave. Another maiden over from Jansen!

    24.5A bit fuller now, on middle, angling in, Sai Sudharsan keeps it out to the off side.

    24.4Lovely delivery! Good length and on off, threatens to angle in but then shapes away. Sai Sudharsan has a poke at it from the crease as the ball zips past the outside edge.

    24.3Goes much fuller this time, on middle and off, Sai Sudharsan taps it out towards covers. Did lose his bottom hand though.

    24.2On a length and on middle, Sai Sudharsan stays back in his crease and nudges it to mid-wicket.

    24.1Short of a length but way outside off, Sai Sudharsan leaves it alone.

    Commentator curse or something? Just before Kuldeep got out, we mentioned their solid resistance for the first half an hour. And now, India have lost two wickets in the span of four deliveries. It's been an eventful start to Day 5, though. An edge taken off a No Ball, a catch dropped by none other than Aiden Markram at the first slip. Harmer spinning a web of deception after that. Okay then, South Africa are just 6 wickets away from winning. Here's the Indian captain, Rishabh Pant, at number 6. His response will be interesting and crucial to watch.

    23.6OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Simon Harmer with the double strike and India slip further down here. This is tossed up, full and on off, does not spin and goes straight. Dhruv Jurel strides out and plays for the turn in, but only manages to get a thin outside edge. The ball carries towards first slip, where Aiden Markram, this time, gets down well and takes a sharp catch to his front. It almost slipped out, but he managed to hold onto it with one hand in the end. Jurel departs for 2 off 3, and from 40/2, India are four down now on 42.

    23.5Slightly shorter and on middle, Dhruv Jurel stays back and keeps it out.

    23.4Flatter, full and on middle, Dhruv Jurel clips it away through square leg for a couple of runs.

    Dhruv Jurel is in at number 5.

    23.3OUT! BOWLED'EM! Simon Harmer gets his man this time and does not need anyone's help. Aiden Markram will be a relieved man as his dropped chance does not cost much. This is the arm ball, full and on off, skids through and goes with arm. Kuldeep Yadav gets stuck in his crease and tries to play it but leaves a massive gap between bat and pad. The ball goes through and crashes into the middle stump. Kuldeep's resistance has been broken early in this innings as he walks back for 5 off 38. India are 40/3!

    23.2Flighted, full and on leg, Kuldeep Yadav turns it to short leg.

    23.1Floated, short and outside off, Kuldeep Yadav moves back and cuts it straight to backward point.

    These two have negotiated the first thirty minutes nicely. Of course, both Sai and Kuldeep have been offered lifelines earlier in the day. But since then, they have been pretty good at blocking everything. Harmer, in our opinion, might be in for a marathon spell once again, especially with the two left handers at the crease.

    22.6Very full and on middle, Sai Sudharsan blocks it out right from the middle of the bat.

    22.5A bouncer now, on middle, Sai Sudharsan sways away from it.

    22.4Pitches it up, on middle, angling into leg, Sai Sudharsan knocks it towards mid on. This is a good ball to ball to Sai as he has been late into a couple of flick shots this morning.

    22.3Goes fuller and around off, gets it to shape away, Sai Sudharsan plays inside the line of it as the ball goes through to the keeper.

    22.2Short of a length and on middle, angling into the body of the batter with steep bounce. Sai Sudharsan does well to ride the bounce and keeps it out off his gloves in front of short leg.

    22.1Fuller delivery, on off, angling in, Sai Sudharsan just gets a little late into his defensive stroke and the ball hits his bat and drops to the off side.

    21.6Shorter once more and around off, Kuldeep Yadav guides it away to point.

    21.5Shortish and on off, Kuldeep Yadav fends it to silly point.

    21.4TURN AND BOUNCE! Tossed up, full and on middle, drifts it but then turns away sharply with bounce. Kuldeep Yadav prods forward to play but gets beaten on the outside edge.

    21.3Goes short and on off, Sai Sudharsan punches it to cover-point for a single.

    21.2Fires in a yorker, on middle, Sai Sudharsan drills it out to extra cover.

    21.1Floated, full and on leg, Sai Sudharsan gets forward and blocks it out.

    20.6BEAUTY! Pulls his length back a bit and bowls this in that channel outside off, gets it to shape away too. Kuldeep Yadav tries to push at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. Maiden over!

    20.5Bangs in a bouncer at 135.4 clicks, on middle and leg, Kuldeep Yadav ducks under it.

    20.4Pitched up and just around off, Kuldeep Yadav lets it come to him and dead-bats it to the off side.

    20.3Touch fuller and on middle, angling in a bit, Kuldeep Yadav blocks it out solidlu down the pitch.

    20.2Back of a length but well outside off, Kuldeep Yadav leaves it alone.

    20.1Good length and on middle and off, Kuldeep Yadav gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

    19.6Slower through the air, full and on middle, Sai Sudharsan negotiates it well.

    19.5Tossed up, full and around middle, Sai Sudharsan defends it on the front foot.

    19.4Flatter, full and on leg, Sai Sudharsan tucks it to the leg side.

    19.3Flighted, full and on middle, Sai Sudharsan knocks it down the pitch.

    19.2A bit short and on middle, Sai Sudharsan stays back and blocks it out.

    19.1EDGED AND DROPPED! Luck going India's way so far here in Day 5. Floated, full and on off, turns away a bit. Kuldeep Yadav get in two minds to play or leave it but just hangs his bat away. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards first slip, where Aiden Markram is late to get low to his right and floors it. A single taken. Both overnight batters have got lives now.

    18.6On a length and on off, Sai Sudharsan steers it away to point. End of an eventful over!

    18.5Goes short again and on off, Sai Sudharsan bends his back backwards to let it go.

    18.4Back of a length and just outside off, Sai Sudharsan offers no shot at it.

    18.3FOUR LEG BYES! More runs! Goes fuller but angling down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan fails to glance it away and the ball deflects off his pads to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

    An interesting stat has flashed on air. This is the first time since 1996 that at least one pacer and one spinner have taken 10 or more wickets for South Africa in a Test series in India. Marco Jansen is currently at 12, while Simon Harmer's tally reads 13 wickets in the series. Jansen was so close to getting his 13th scalp, but it was his own undoing with a No Ball.

    18.3Edged and gone? No, the siren goes off! A huge moment in the game and a big relief for Sai Sudharsan and India. Good-length delivery and on the fourth stump line, much closer to the batter this time, takes off a bit and holds its line. Sai has a poke at it but gets a thin outside edge behind, where Kyle Verreynne makes no mistake. The Proteas go up in the appeal as one, and the finger is raised instantly. Sai is walking off in disappointment, and the Proteas are celebrating, but that is cut short as the on-field umpire gets confirmation that Jansen has overstepped here.

    18.2Hits the length hard and on the fifth stump line, Sai Sudharsan stays back and pats it down towards extra cover.

    18.1Sharp! Marco Jansen bangs this into the pitch, on off, gets some extra bounce, Sai Sudharsan sways away from the line of it.

    17.6Flighted, full and around middle, Kuldeep Yadav is solid in his defense.

    17.5Uppish but safe! Short again and outside off, Sai Sudharsan backs away and tries to cut it away hard. Gets a top edge that falls just in front of Marco Jansen at backward point, who parries it away. They cross.

    17.4Goes a bit short and on middle, Sai Sudharsan moves back and keeps it out.

    17.3Slows it up, full and on off, Sai Sudharsan defends it on the front foot.

    17.2Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Sai Sudharsan prods forward and fends it off the inner half of the bat through the leg slip region. He wants the run but is sent back.

    17.1Drags his length back, on middle, Sai Sudharsan stays back and pats it down to Tony de Zorzi at short leg.

    16.6Very full and on middle, attacking the stumps, Kuldeep Yadav steps across and tucks it to the leg side.

    16.5Pitched up, on middle and on off, Sai Sudharsan guides it off the outer half of the abt to deep point for a single.

    16.4Lands this on a good length and around the sixth stump line, takes off a bit. Sai Sudharsan watches it through and lets it go to the keeper.

    16.3Short of a length but well outside off, not troubling the batter, Sai Sudharsan makes an easy leave.

    16.2Much better! Back of a length and in that channel outside off, holds its line, Sai Sudharsan plays well inside the line of it and lets it go to the keeper.

    16.1FOUR LEG BYES! Marco Jansen tries the yorker right away but errs in line and serves a low full toss, down the leg side. Sai Sudharsan gets a bit late on his flick and misses as the ball goes off his pads and races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

    Marco Jansen to operate from the other end.

    15.6Nicely defended! Tossed up, full and on middle, Kuldeep Yadav gets forward well and fends it right under his eyes.

    Righto, we are all set for Day 5 to commence in this second and final Test of the Freedom Series 2025. Key word for today will be character. India will be looking to take the sting out of the South African bowling attack and stretch it into a draw. While the Proteas are eight wickets away from creating history, but they will have to take those wickets to do so. The South Africans get out of the huddle and spread to the field. Sai Sudharsan and Kuldeep Yadav are the overnight batters for India. Simon Harmer to complete the remaining ball of his fourth over. Kuldeep to face. Here we go...

    PITCH REPORT - Former Indian cricketer and a legendary spinner, Anil Kumble, states that the pitch has deteriorated a bit, but not that much. Observes that there is a rough around the off stump from both ends. But he still reckons that the track still isn't like a traditional day 5 pitch. He expects the bounce to be true with the odd ball jumping up. He also details that some balls will arrive slower than expected, which could bring a good challenge from someone like Jansen.

    India face a monumental challenge today - some might even call it unrealistic, but cricket has a way of surprising us. That said, given the hosts’ recent tendency to collapse, the signs aren’t encouraging. Kuldeep Yadav did a solid job as nightwatchman to survive till Stumps on Day 4, but with the surface now showing cracks and rough patches, handling Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer will be a real test, and Marco Jansen’s short-ball barrage - which caused plenty of trouble in the first innings will only add to the pressure. India will need something special from Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, and Washington Sundar if they are to salvage anything from this contest and avoid yet another humbling series defeat at home.

    South Africa batted, batted, and simply kept on batting when most expected a declaration - first after Tea, then after Lunch, but it finally came with just about an hour left on Day 4. Tristan Stubbs’ superb 94 was the standout knock, though he’ll regret falling short of a deserved hundred, while Tony de Zorzi also missed a milestone after falling for 49. Still, their persistence meant South Africa piled up a monumental second-innings lead of 548 runs - the highest ever in India, surpassing Australia’s 542 run-mark from 2004. And they weren’t done yet. In the overs that remained, Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer removed both Indian openers, tightening their grip on the contest, if it wasn’t already firm enough.

    After the first Test in Kolkata wrapped up inside three days, hardly anyone would’ve bet on this Guwahati clash stretching to the final day. But here we are - and let’s be honest, only one side has truly called the shots. Across the 12 sessions so far, South Africa have owned at least 10 of them, putting themselves on the brink of a historic series win on Indian soil. Their task now is straightforward - take eight wickets in roughly 90 overs (light permitting). India, on the other hand, need an entire day of grit, patience, and resolve to salvage a draw, because victory is well out of sight. With all that in mind, a warm welcome to our coverage for the final time in this gripping Test series.

    ... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ...

    Right then! Do we even need to say what is ahead of us? Day 5 will be historic, whatever the results. Mind you, India still have a chance. You don't write them off, however, that writing is in pencil, which South Africa would be eager to erase it. Do join us for the final day at 9 am IST (3.30 am GMT). Till then, cheers!

    Tristan Stubbs is up for a quick chat with Deep Dasgupta. On missing out on his third Test century, he admits that he feels a bit disappointed. But tells that India are two down already, so he will take it. On being asked about the declaration plan, he shares that they wanted to bat for 40 minutes after Lunch. Highlights that when Jadeja came on to bowl, he knew two hits were his best shot as that was the last over. On the shot on which he got dismissed, he details that it was a defensive shot to get off strike as he was forced to play at it. About the surface, he notes that there are some foot holes out there, and Harmer showed it by dismissing KL Rahul. Ends by saying that if they keep landing the ball in the right areas, there's enough in this wicket to clean them up.

    There were rumours of a declaration happening in the second session but Bavuma made India fall on their knees, making them tired and chase the ball for another hour or so in the final session. Tristan Stubbs had a chance to register a century and South Africa were waiting for their young talent to reach the landmark but Stubbs fell 6 runs short, eventually putting up a humongous score for India to chase it down.

    India began the morning with great determination. They had no option but to dominate the day. The hosts started well, bowling with a lot of intent and energy, eventually picking three wickets. With a victory out of equation, it felt like India have given themselves a good chance to draw the series in the morning session, but then came the body blow when Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi joined hands to add 101 runs to the total. Tony fell one short of his fifty but there were no signs of declaration despite the Proteas crossing the 450-mark.

    How well was that declaration timed? We all felt that South Africa are postponing it a bit too much, but 15.5 overs in just more than an hour and paying dividends as the openers' wickets! Sounds brilliant. Bavuma and Co. plotted every move with perfection today. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul had a bumpy road to play with, but the visitors blasted with pace from both ends against some tired minds. Marco Jansen removed Jaiswal for the third time in four innings while Simon Harmer bowled an absolute jaffa to dismiss KL. Kuldeep Yadav came in as a nightwatchman and did a pretty good job along with Sai Sudharsan, who survived a couple of scars in his time on the crease.

    There are many beautiful mountains in Guwahati, Assam, but none bigger than what the Indian team are looking forward to. These metaphors sound nice and cool, but not when your team needs to win and level the series. The story is unfolding just as South Africa wanted it to. They have not put a foot wrong in this whole Test match and the series so far. The Proteas are chasing their first Test series win in India in 25 years and the World Test Champions are just a day away from writing it with golden letters.

    The light-meter is out. We usually ended during this period in the past three days, with the light fading out a lot. It's the same today as well. The umpires call it a day. STUMPS ON DAY 4.

    15.5A yard behind fuller length, drifting into the stumps. Kuldeep Yadav goes back and across and defends it back to the bowler.

    15.4Drags the length back, just outside off. Kuldeep Yadav gets in two minds whether to leave or play. Does not get his bat out of the line and the ball goes off the toe end and lands between silly point and the first slip fielders.

    15.3Around off, spinning in from off, Kuldeep defends it well into the leg side past short leg.

    15.2Fuller and on off, Kuldeep strides forward and defends it under his eyes.

    15.1On a fuller length, on off, Kuldeep Yadav blocks it off the front foot.

    14.6Full and outside off, Sai Sudharsan strides across but offers no shot.

    14.5Around off, on a length, tapped away to point.

    14.4Good presence of mind from Sai as he averts a big tragedy. He tries to sweep a full delivery, but it bounces and turns into him. It deflects off his body and is on course to hit the stumps, but Sai flicks it away with his bat just in the nick of time.

    14.3Spins in from the rough, on a length, Sai Sudharsan goes deep in the crease and blocks it off.

    14.2Fuller, spinning in from outside off. Sai Sudharsan lunges on to defend, but inside edges onto the front pad.

    14.1On a length, around off, punched off the back foot to the bowler.

    13.6Not that short, and it skids through, outside off. Kuldeep Yadav hangs deep in the crease and steers it to backward point.

    13.5Flighted up, full and around off. Kuldeep Yadav strides across and defends it to silly point.

    13.4Full and tossed on middle and leg, Kuldeep pushes it to the left of the bowler.

    13.3Touch full and around off, Kuldeep Yadav plays with soft hands and taps it to backward point.

    13.2Drifting down leg, on a fuller length, clipped fine on the leg side for a single.

    13.1BEATEN! Off break, full and just outside off. Sai leans forward to defend, but the ball spins past the face of the blade to beat the outside edge by a whisker.

    12.6Nice and full, around off, Kuldeep is watchful on his front foot defence.

    12.5Spins sharply from a length outside off and kicks up awkwardly. Kuldeep rocks back to defend but only manages a thick outside edge that flies past silly point.

    12.4EDGED, FOUR! Streaky! Beautifully tossed up, outside the off stump. It lands and turns back sharply into the batter. Kuldeep Yadav leans across to drive but gets an inside edge. The ball then shoots behind to the left of the diving Wiaan Mulder at leg slip but stays out of his reach and races away to the deep fine leg fence.

    12.3Fuller and on off, defended off the front foot.

    12.2Touch short and outside off, tapped to silly point.

    12.1Length ball, on off, Kuldeep tucks it across off the back foot.

    11.6Sai survives by a very thin margin! Full and floated into the batter. Sai Sudharsan draws the front foot forward to defend, but the ball thuds the front pad. A massive appeal for LBW as the Proteas go up in one. The umpire shakes his head in denial. Temba Bavuma goes upstairs for a review. Bat or pad first? The UltraEdge shows it has brushed the front pad first as the bat is a bit late to arrive. Ball Tracking comes up and shows that the ball is projected to hit the off stump, but the impact is on the umpire's call.

    11.5Much fuller now, on off, Sai Sudharsan leans forward and blocks it straight back at the bowler.

    11.4Short and outside off, Sai punches off the back foot to extra cover.

    11.3Around off, on a length, Sai goes back and blocks it off.

    11.2Skids low from a length, just outside off. Sai Sudharsan plays with the turn and nudges it to mid-wicket.

    11.1In-dipper, full and outside off, spinning away. Kuldeep plays with soft hands and dabs it on the bounce to the first slip.

    10.6Attacks the stumps, on a length, Kuldeep Yadav covers the line and stabs it down the pitch.

    10.5On a length, outside off, defended off the back foot to the off side.

    10.4Goodness me! That turned a mile! Pitches it outside off, and this one turns across the three stumps. Kuldeep Yadav gets way across to glance it away, but gets beaten.

    10.3On a length, on leg, Sai Sudharsan works it down to long on for a single.

    10.2Length ball, on middle, whipped off the back foot to mid-wicket.

    10.1Starts off with a short one, on off, Sai Sudharsan heaves it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

    Spin from both ends. Here is Keshav Maharaj.

    9.6On a tad fuller length, around off, Kuldeep punches it to silly point. Harmer starts off with a WICKET MAIDEN!

    9.5Full, outside off, eased into the point region.

    9.4Straight and full, on middle, blocked off the front foot.

    9.3Full, drifting on the pads, clipped to short leg.

    Will India send a night watchman? Yes, Kuldeep Yadav walks to the middle. Remember, he faced most deliveries in the previous innings so he can do a pretty good job.

    9.2OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Harmer with an immediate impact off a peach of a delivery. Floats up a fuller-length delivery, pitching it well outside the off stump line. The ball dips and lands right on the rough and prodigiously spins into the batter. KL Rahul gets sucked into it on the front foot and tries to play it through the off side, but plays all over it and gets beaten all ends up on the inside edge. The ball goes on to disturb the furniture behind. KL Rahul perishes on 6 (29) and India are 21/2.

    9.1Dishes out a length ball, on off, KL Rahul covers the stumps and bunts it back to the bowler.

    First change of the innings. Simon Harmer to bowl now.

    8.6On a length, at the pads, tucked across to the leg side, in front of square.

    8.5A muted appeal for caught behind, but only Jansen is interested. Not given by the umpire. A lethal short delivery, outside off. It just keeps rising off the pitch as Sai prepares himself to cut it over point. Gets beaten on the outside edge as he flays away from his body.

    8.4Slams the deck hard, at 136.5 kph, on off. Sai Sudharsan rises with the bounce and blocks it to the off side.

    8.3Short and on the leg stump. KL Rahul gets on the back foot and jabs it to deep square leg for a single.

    8.2Hard length, on middle, KL Rahul forces it away to the cover region off the front foot.

    8.1On a hard length, jagging in a touch from off. KL Rahul rides the bounce and dabs it down the pitch with soft hands.

    7.6Fullish delivery angled at the pads, KL Rahul flicks it wide of mid-wicket. The ball slows down on its way to the ropes and teases Ryan Rickelton throughout his chase. He does manage to stop it before the ropes and the batters cross each other thrice in the meantime.

    7.5Good length, outside off, left alone.

    7.4On a back of a length, outside off, KL Rahul hangs back and pats it down to cover.

    7.3Nice and straight, full, on the stumps, KL Rahul drives it back to the bowler.

    7.2Short and outside off, KL Rahul leaves this harmless delivery.

    7.1The line is outside off, on a length, KL shows no interest.

    6.6A huge miscommunication from the batter, and they get nothing in the end. Marco pushes it down leg, on a good length. Sai Sudharsan misses to glance off the pads, and it is wide enough for Kyle Verreynne to gather it. But, he shows fine elasticity by diving to his right and manages to get a mitt on it. The ball is parried behind to the deep. Simon Harmer from the slip cordon, chases the ball just yards inside the ropes. A bit of yes and no between the batters who could have crossed easily, but they settle in without a run. KL Rahul actually didn't run, but Sai was more than halfway, and had to retreat back.

    6.5Almost an action replay of the previous delivery. But this time, the line is a bit too straight down leg. Sai ducks.

    6.4Banged in short, on middle, Sai ducks underneath it.

    6.3Outside off, on a good length. Sai Sudharsan withdraws his bat inside the line of the ball and makes the leave.

    6.2Short and on top of off. Sai Sudharsan arches back and drops his wrists to leave.

    Sai Sudharsan comes in next.

    6.1OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! And once again in the series, Jansen fishes out Jaiswal. For the third time, in four innings. Jansen keeps it on a good length, with a gentle away shape, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets on the back foot and tries to cut it square on the off side. But he only manages to nick it behind to Kyle Verreynne, who gets low to his left and gathers it safely. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks at the heavens in disappointment and walks back after scoring 13 (20). India are 17/1.

    5.6Bashes the length hard, does Mulder. KL Rahul weighs back and wrists it to mid-wicket.

    5.5Tight leave! Good length, in that channel of the fourth and fifth stump. KL Rahul shoulders arms.

    5.4Nips away from off, on a good length. KL Rahul lets it pass.

    5.3Ah, that one skidded through and kept low. On a length, on off. KL Rahul hops on the toes, expecting it to rise, but adjusts nicely. He does well to stab it onto the surface off the back foot.

    5.2In the channel of off, on a good length. KL Rahul gets on the back foot and bunts it back to the bowler.

    5.1Angled into the batter, on a good length. KL Rahul whips off his pads towards deep square leg's left for a couple of runs.

    4.6Short and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal hops off and tucks it to the right of short leg.

    4.5The stumps are attacked, full and on middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it to short mid-wicket.

    4.4Short of a good length, on top of off. Yashasvi Jaiswal rises with the bounce and dabs it down on the bounce to extra cover.

    4.3On a back of a length, angling into the bodyline. Yashasvi Jaiswal plays off the crease and tucks it across.

    4.2Some serious gas on it. Fired fuller on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal is solid in front foot defence.

    4.1SIX! Clever! Short from Jansen. It gets an extra lift outside off, and Jaiswal uses that to his benefit. He leans back and effortlessly ramps it over the keeper's head. The ball sails behind and all the way beyond the ropes for a six.

    3.6Around off, on a fuller length. KL Rahul strides across and taps it to point. A longish over from Mulder.

    3.5Just a tinge of an away shape, full and outside off, KL Rahul is happy to see that off.

    3.4Tailing into the leg stump line, on a fractionally fuller length. KL Rahul gets across and tucks it using his wrists to mid-wicket.

    3.3Goes full and on off, KL Rahul blocks it straight back to the bowler.

    3.2Fuller and on middle and leg, flicked off the pads to short mid-wicket.

    3.2No Ball for overstepping. On a good length, around off, KL Rahul punches off the back foot to the cover region.

    3.1That one stood up steeply off the deck, on the leg stump, short in length. Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to steer it off the pads, but misses and the ball deflects off the thigh pad towards backward square leg. They cross for a leg by as Kyle Verreynne runs to his right to collect it.

    2.6THREE RUNS! Short in length and on middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal firmly flicks it through square leg for three runs.

    2.5There's the troubling delivery! Into the surface, on leg and shorter. Yashasvi Jaiswal half-heartedly fends it away on the leg side.

    2.4Goes back to the shorter delivery, on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal ducks under it.

    2.3Pushes it touch fuller and around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal taps it back to the left of mid off.

    2.2Dishes out on a length and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back to defend it.

    2.1FOUR! Clipped away! Shorter and on the hips. Yashasvi Jaiswal bunts it firmly past backward short leg, it rolls away past the fielder to the fence.

    1.6Wiaan Mulder serves it outside off on a length. KL Rahul shoulders arms to it. Mulder starts with a maiden too.

    1.5BEATEN! A slower delivery at 127.2 clicks, holds its line in the channel, outside off. KL Rahul half-presses across to defend but is beaten.

    1.4Pushes it touch fuller and around off, KL Rahul defends it on the deck.

    1.3Good length, around off, nipping in late. KL Rahul blocks it solidly.

    1.2Wiaan Mulder bowls it short, into the surface, outside off, KL Rahul shoulders arms to it.

    1.1Short in length, outside off, holds its line. KL Rahul leaves it to the keeper.

    Wiaan Mulder to share the new ball from the other end.

    0.6A maiden to start with! Shorter and down leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal lets it go.

    0.5WOW! Drops it short and on middle, directs onto the body. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets into an awkward position as he tries to fend it away. He gloves it to the slip cordon where it falls short.

    0.4Short in length, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal shoulders arms to it.

    0.3A good length delivery, swinging in late, on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal defends on the deck.

    0.2Yashasvi Jaiswal throws his bat at it! Short again, around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal bends low, tries to ramp it over but misses.

    0.1This is what he did with the ball in the last innings. Steep bounce from the tall left-armer, around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal hops to defend and does well to keep it on the ground.

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