India were given a massive target of 549 runs to chase, but their openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, couldn’t get the team off to a strong start. Both began cautiously, yet neither managed to make an impact. Jaiswal was the first to go, scoring 13 from 20 balls after being dismissed by Marco Jansen. Rahul didn’t last much longer, making only 6 from 29 deliveries before Simon Harmer trapped him in the second Test match of the Freedom Trophy 2025 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Sai Sudharsan, Kuldeep Yadav steady after KL Rahul, Jaiswal's dismissal
Sai Sudharsan walked in after Jaiswal’s wicket and finished the day unbeaten on 2 runs. Nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav joined him at the crease and scored 4 runs in 22 balls. India will head into the final day needing 522 runs with eight wickets remaining.
Tristan Stubbs frustrated Indian bowlers
Earlier, Tristan Stubbs (94) and Tony de Zorzi (49) frustrated India’s spinners as South Africa declared their second innings at 260 for 5 on day four of the second Test. Their partnership helped set India an enormous target.
India off to a good start on Day 4
India had made a strong start in the morning session when Ravindra Jadeja (4/62) and Washington Sundar (1/67) removed three early wickets, leaving South Africa at 77 for 3. Stubbs and de Zorzi then steadied the innings with a determined 101-run stand. Stubbs later added another 82 runs with Wiaan Mulder (35) for the fifth wicket, strengthening South Africa’s hold on the match.
Jadeja's masterclass before Stubbs' steady knock
Jadeja had been the one to break through early, dismissing openers Ryan Rickelton (35) and Aiden Markram (29) to put India in a good position for a brief period. South Africa went to tea at 107 for 3, already leading by 395 runs. Earlier, India were bowled out for 201 on day three in reply to South Africa’s first-innings total of 489.
Brief Scores:
South Africa: 489 & 260 for 5 declared in 78.3 overs (Ryan Rickelton 35, Aiden Markram 29, Tristan Stubbs 94, Tony de Zorzi 49; Ravindra Jadeja 4/62).
India: 201 & 27 for 2 in 15.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 13, KL Rahul 6).