South Africa gained firm control over the ongoing second Test match against India after choosing not to enforce the follow-on despite having a commanding 288-run lead on day three on Monday in Guwahati. India, on the other hand, endured their worst nightmare, suffering a shocking collapse that saw them bowled out for just 201 in their first innings. India's top and middle order crumbled in stunning fashion, losing six wickets for just 27 runs.
Amid the collapse, Washington Sundar fought back hard, with a gritty 48, shepherding India's batting efforts. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for India, striking 58 off 97. South Africa, meanwhile, banked on Marco Jansen's devastating spell, who dismantled India’s resistance and returned with six wickets to put India under enormous pressure.
South Africa had earlier piled on an imposing 489 in their first innings, built on Senuran Muthusamy's maiden Test century (109) and Marco Jansen's gigantic knock of 93 off just 91 balls. Jansen's innings included seven towering sixes and six boundaries. Notably, India are being led by Rishabh Pant after India's regular skipper, Shubman Gill, was ruled out due to a neck injury. At stumps, South Africa were 26/0, with Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram unbeaten on 13 and 12, respectively.