Harmer harms India with 6-fer as Bavuma’s South Africa win by record-breaking margin of 408 runs to complete 2-0 cleansweep after 25 years

South Africa led by Temba Bavuma hammer an out-of-form India in the absence of captain Shubman Gill, beating them by a huge margin of 408 runs to complete 2-0 cleansweep. This is the first time in 25 years, South Africa have cleanswept India in a two-Test series on Indian soil. After a terrific batting display to set a target of 509, Simon Harmer – the highest wicket-taker of the series -- rushed through Indian batting lineup on a Day 5 pitch.

In the run chase, India were bowled out for 140 in 63.5 overs. Apart from Ravindra Jadeja's half-century and Sai Sudharsan's defensive knock, no India batters managed to pose a challenge. South Africa registered their biggest win by runs.

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Records tumble in Guwahati

Aiden Markram broke the world record for most catches in a Test whereas Harmer broke Dale Steyn’s record for most wickets in a Test series against India. The 408-run loss is India's most by runs. The previous worst was 342 runs to Australia in Nagpur in 2004.

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Proteas’ dominance in all departments

In the first innings, Senuran Muthusamy's maiden Test century and Marco Jansen's 91-ball 93 helped South Africa post 489 after Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first. In reply, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a fifty but India suffered a batting collapse. Sundar (48) and Kuldeep (134-ball 19) put up a fight but the hosts were bowled out for 201 with Jansen bagging a six-wicket haul.

Bavuma opted not to enforce follow-on. Stubbs' 94-run knock steered South Africa to 260/5 before Bavuma declared. Once again, India suffered a batting collapse. On a Day 5 track, they were no match for the Proteas spinners and were bowled out within two sessions.

Massive defeats at home under head coach Gambhir

This is the second time India have been cleanswept at home in a Test series since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach. Last year, India lost 3-0 to New Zealand at home, a massive dent to their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final chances. Then, India went to Australia and lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2015. Under Gambhir, India have won Test series against West Indies and drew the Andreson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.