Proteas Seize Control as Jansen Runs Through India
Here’s how the story unfolded — and honestly, what a dramatic swing this Test has taken. South Africa have put themselves in a commanding position against India, and a lot of that dominance has come from one man: Marco Jansen. His incredible 6-for-48 didn’t just dent India’s batting lineup — it practically carved it open and handed the Proteas a 314-run lead by the end of day three in Guwahati.
The day began with India still trying to claw their way back after South Africa had piled on 489 in their first innings. Jansen had already contributed a brilliant 97 with the bat, but he clearly wasn’t done. When India came out to respond, the effort looked promising for a brief moment. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul stitched together a steady 65 off 129 balls, giving the home crowd some early hope. But once Keshav Maharaj sent Rahul back in the 22nd over, the unraveling began — quietly at first, and then in absolute freefall.
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Simon Harmer played his part beautifully too, taking 3-64 and troubling India from both ends. His delivery to dismiss Jaiswal bounced a touch more than expected and was snatched brilliantly by Jansen at backward point. From there, India’s slide became rapid and painful. Sai Sudharsan fell cheaply. Dhruv Jurel, promoted up the order to No.4 in Shubman Gill’s absence, lasted just 11 balls before Jansen removed him. One moment India were 1-95, and 19 deliveries later, they were suddenly tottering at 4-102.
After the tea break, it got even worse. Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant nicked off almost immediately. Nitish Reddy was undone by Jansen’s bounce, with Aiden Markram taking a stunning one-handed catch at gully. Ravindra Jadeja fell soon after, and India were left staring at a bleak 7-122. In total, they lost six wickets for just 27 runs across 11 overs — a collapse that will be replayed and dissected for a long time.
Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav stitched together a fighting 72-run stand to restore some dignity, but even that resistance was eventually broken. Harmer removed Sundar at slip, and Jansen returned to clean up the tail, finishing off the innings at 201.
Despite the hefty lead, South Africa decided against enforcing the follow-on. Markram and Rickelton added 26 more before stumps, extending India’s headache into day four. And Jansen’s warning afterwards made the situation sound even more ominous: the ball has started turning, and conditions are shifting toward the spinners — which means India’s second innings could be even tougher.
With South Africa already 1-0 up and chasing a first series win in India since 2000-01, the pressure is completely on the hosts now. The Proteas have one hand on history, and India have a mountain to climb.
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