The India cricket team has a grueling task ahead to avoid a whitewashing test series loss to South Africa.

In response to the visitors’ first innings total of 489 in 151.1 overs, Rishabh Pant and his men managed to accumulate just 201 runs.

Likewise to the bowlers, the entire batting line-up collapsed instantly. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar were the only two Indian batters to achieve a 45+ run mark.

As India failed to avoid a follow-on, South African captain Temba Bavuma opted to bat again and now set his sights on setting a mammoth target against the hosts.

South Africa’s Stunning First Innings Performance

Having opted to bat first, South Africa posted a challenging total of 489 in 151.5 overs. Here are the noteworthy contributions of the visiting side’s batting line-up:

• Senuran Muthusamy: 109 runs out of 206 balls (including 10 fours and 2 sixes). 
• Marco Jansen: 93 runs out of 91 balls (including 6 fours and 7 sixes).
• Tristan Stubbs: 49 runs out of 112 balls (including 4 fours and 2 sixes).
• Kyle Verreynne: 45 runs out of 122 balls (including 5 fours).
• Temba Bavuma: 41 runs out of 92 balls (including 5 fours).

India’s Bowling Unit Failure in the First Innings

Indian veteran speedsters like Jasprit Bumrah (2/75 in 32 overs) and Mohammed Siraj (2/106 in 30 overs) ended up conceding too many runs to the Proteas batters.

Likewise, experienced spinners like Kuldeep Yadav (4/115 in 29.1 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/94 in 28 overs) were unable to control the flow of runs.

Jaiswal and Washington Steady India’s Terrible Innings

After concluding Day 02 at stumps with 9/0, India’s batting unit failed miserably by succumbing to instant dismissals on the subsequent day.

Yashasvi Jaiswal made significant contributions with the bat, having scored 58 runs out of 97 deliveries (including 7 fours and 1 six). The southpaw batted at a strike rate of 59.79 and saved India’s first innings total from concluding at a humiliating total.

Later, Washington Sundar compiled 48 runs out of 92 balls (including 2 fours and a six). He built a slow-scoring partnership of 72 runs for the ninth wicket alongside Kuldeep Yadav.

However, India still trailed by 288 runs after their first innings was wrapped up to 201 in 83.5 overs.

Marco Jansen Continues with His Red-Hot Form for South Africa

South African pacer Marco Jansen maintained his peak form in terms of both batting and bowling.

As a tailender, his valuable 93-run knock bolstered the Proteas’ innings total near 500. Although he missed out on scoring his maiden test century, but succeeded in registering his career best knock in the longest format.

The 25-year-old left-arm pacer led his team’s bowling attack from the front. Jansen single-handedly dismantled the hosts’ batting line-up with his 6-fer (6/48 in 19.5 overs).

Off-spinner Simon Harmer, having bowled 27 overs, played a supportive role by claiming 3 crucial wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 runs), Washington Sundar (48 runs), and Sai Sudharsan (15 runs).

What if India loses the 2-match Test Series vs South Africa?

A loss in the ongoing test series would mark the second loss for the Indians at home in the past 12 months. Also, this would mark the first instance of India facing a clean sweep of 0-2 loss to South Africa since 2000.

Earlier, India had a dominating record by maintaining an unbeaten record in test series at home, unless they faced a whitewashing loss to New Zealand in October last year.

Even if India manages to draw the ongoing 2nd test match, it would still make no difference as Temba Bavuma and his men would have clinched the series by 1-0.

Why South Africa Didn’t Enforce a Follow-on vs India?

On Day 03 (November 24) of the ongoing second test match in Guwahati, South African captain Temba Bavuma decided not to enforce a follow-on after the conclusion of India’s first innings with the bat. He had a detailed discussion with his team members and management on whether the hosts should be made to bat again. 

Despite taking a 288-run lead, Bavuma wasn’t satisfied with the outcome and decided not to demand a follow-on against India.

As per the test cricket rules, the captain of the team that batted first has the right to enforce a follow-on only if they take a lead of 200 runs or more. This means the second batting team will be invited to bat again immediately in the second innings after the completion of the first innings.

Overall Verdict

South Africa’s second innings concluded at stumps on 26/0 in 8 overs. As Temba Bavuma refused to enforce a follow-on, India now escaped from facing a loss by an innings.

With Proteas on a mission to seal the series with a whitewash win, India is now on the verge of facing another home test series sweep under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching era.

The only way for India to avoid a test series defeat at home is to exhibit a stronger batting performance to win the second test and level the series 1-1.