South Africa crushed India by 408 runs in the second Test on Wednesday to sweep the series, delivering the hosts their heaviest defeat in terms of runs and ending a 25-year wait for a series win on Indian soil. The historic victory, sealed in Guwahati, saw India bowled out for just 140 while chasing a mammoth target of 549 on day five, following a commanding performance from the visitors in both innings.
Also Read: Chelsea Teen Estevao Shines in 3-0 Victory Over Barcelona in Champions League
Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the star of the show, taking 6-37 and dismantling India’s batting line-up to seal South Africa’s first series win in India since 2000. “Winning a Test match and series in India is very special,” said South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who contributed with both ball and bat, taking 6-48 in India’s first innings and smashing a quickfire 93. Jansen, named player of the match, praised his teammates for their determination, highlighting the collective effort behind the historic triumph.
South Africa had already taken a commanding lead in the series after winning the opening Test in Kolkata inside three days on a pitch with uneven bounce. In Guwahati, the visitors exploited spin-friendly conditions to perfection, with Harmer and Keshav Maharaj running through India’s middle and lower order. Ravindra Jadeja resisted with 54, but Maharaj had him stumped, and Harmer wrapped up the innings by dismissing Mohammed Siraj, with a stunning catch by Jansen in the deep completing the rout.
India captain Rishabh Pant admitted that his team fell short in capitalizing on key moments. “Whether you’re playing at home or away, cricket demands determination and the extra effort. As a batting unit, you need to capitalize on certain moments. As a team we didn’t do that,” Pant said. India’s batting frailties were exposed once again on a pitch where the visitors had already posted 489 in their first innings after electing to bat.
The hosts faced early reprieves that offered temporary hope. Sai Sudharsan survived a no-ball after being caught behind, and Kuldeep Yadav was dropped at first slip off Harmer. Yet the relief was fleeting as Harmer quickly dismantled the top order, dismissing Kuldeep for five, Dhruv Jurel for two, and Pant for 13, leaving India reeling at 58-5. Batters continued to fall in quick succession, completing a comprehensive collapse against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack.
Despite the first-innings lead of 288, South Africa opted not to enforce the follow-on and chose to bat again, demonstrating control and strategic acumen. All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy had already led the batting charge with a maiden Test century of 109, contributing significantly to the visitors’ imposing first-innings total.
This victory marks a significant milestone for South African cricket, underlining their ability to dominate on foreign soil and particularly in India, long considered a fortress for the hosts. The series sweep also highlights the growing depth and skill in South Africa’s pace and spin attack, with players like Harmer, Jansen, and Maharaj proving crucial in high-pressure conditions.
For India, the defeat continues a worrying trend in home Tests, adding to a series of disappointing results, including a recent 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand. The performance exposes vulnerabilities in batting, particularly against disciplined spin, and raises questions about strategy and consistency in high-stakes matches.
South Africa’s triumph is a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and tactical execution, showcasing the visitors’ ability to exploit key moments and dominate across all facets of the game. As they claim only the second Test series win in India, the result will be remembered as a defining moment in South African cricket history, while India faces a period of reflection and rebuilding.
