South Africa continued to dictate the terms against India in the afternoon session. South Africa now has a gigantic lead of 508 runs. Tristan Stubbs has played a stellar unbeaten knock of 60 runs in 155 balls. Tristan Stubbs has shown immense mental application on a treacherous surface that has sharp turn and awkward bounce.
Tristan Stubbs & Tony de Zorzi deepen the agony of India
Tristan Stubbs’ defensive approach was quite questionable throughout the innings. Tony de Zorzi had a proactive approach as the sweeps and reverse sweep shots were yielding results. Tristan Stubbs was unperturbed with the turn as his defense was rock solid. South Africa was in the driver’s seat despite losing 3 wickets in the morning session.
Skipper Rishabh Pant was confused & perplexed with the way Tristan Stubbs & Tony de Zorzi were occupying at the crease. Perhaps, the message from management to batters was to frustrate India & make them toy which they did immensely. At the drinks break, South Africa’s score was 160-3 as they scored 53 runs in 15 overs.
Tristan Stubbs decimates India
Tony de Zorzi missed out on a hard-fought half-century as he was dismissed on 49 runs by Ravindra Jadeja. The departure of Tony de Zorzi made things tough for India; Tristan Stubbs slowly & steadily unleashed an attack on Indian spinners. In the 52nd over, Tristan Stubbs notched up his half-century and made sure that he didn’t play any false shots.
Wiaan Mulder & Tristan Stubbs got South Africa’s lead to more than 500. It was quite evident that the Indian players’ shoulders were dropping, and they looked a bit deflated. South Africa scored 60 runs in the next passage of play as the visitors’ were 220-4 and bossing the game at Guwahati. India’s spinners didn’t prove that threatening despite a surface that is no less than a minefield.
What lies ahead in the evening session
South Africa has more than ample runs on board. With bad light coming into play in the evening session, Temba Bavuma & Shukri Conrad would be thinking of having a go at the Indian batters immediately. India now has a monumental task on its hands. It’s crystal clear that India can’t win a Test match and draw a series. India’s batters would be thoroughly tested. South Africa would be aiming for 3-4 wickets in the evening session. Let’s see whether India can produce a fightback, or if it will be another session dominated by the Proteas.
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