VIZAG (ATP) :South Africa took a commanding lead on Day 3 of the second Test, largely thanks to a devastating bowling spell by Marco Jansen, who secured figures of 6 for 48. India, resuming at 6/0, collapsed from a promising position to be bowled out for 201, handing the visitors a massive 288-run first-innings lead.
India’s innings started steadily with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul putting up a 65-run stand. Rahul was dismissed for an edge off Keshav Maharaj, which triggered a middle-order slide. Jaiswal soon brought up his half-century, eventually departing for 58, one of Simon Harmer’s three wickets (3-64).
The monumental collapse saw India lose six wickets for just 27 runs, slipping from 102/4 to 122/7, as Jansen tore through the line-up, claiming the crucial wickets of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.
A determined 8th-wicket partnership between Washington Sundar (48) and Kuldeep Yadav (19 off 134 balls) provided the only significant resistance, lasting over 200 deliveries—a record 8th-wicket stand for India against South Africa. However, both fell in quick succession, with Jansen eventually sealing his six-for by cleaning up the tail.
Opting against the follow-on, South Africa’s openers, Ryan Rickelton (13*) and Aiden Markram (12*), saw the day out, extending their lead to 314 runs before bad light stopped play. The visitors ended the day at 26/0, strongly positioned for a 2-0 series finish.
