Towering pace spearhead Marco Jansen bagged six wickets to propel South Africa to the verge of their first Test series win in India in 25 years, skittling the hosts for 201 in the second match on Day 3 on Monday.
India were 288 behind in their first innings after South Africa’s 489, but the visitors chose to bat again in Guwahati rather than impose the follow-on.
Before ending the Indian innings with his sixth stroke of the day, left-arm fast Jansen earned his fourth five-wicket Test haul.
South Africa is in the running for their first series victory in India since Hansie Cronje’s team won in 2000 after winning the opening Test in the two-match series in Kolkata.
After losing the opening match at home for the fourth time in six Tests, India are under pressure again.
In the second innings, South Africa increased their lead to 314 by reaching 26-0 at stumps. Left-hander Ryan Rickelton (13) and Aiden Markram (12) were at the crease when bad light brought an early end to play in the northeast city, where the sun sets early.
Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58, India fell to 122-7 as wickets continued to fall on what appeared to be an excellent pitch for batting.
In a partnership of 72 off 208 balls, Washington Sundar, who scored 48, and fellow left-hander Kuldeep Yadav resisted until off-spinner Simon Harmer struck to put an end to Sundar’s resistance.
Jansen dismissed Jasprit Bumrah for 2 and Kuldeep for 19 as India were bundled out in less than three sessions.
Earlier, prior to achieving his 13th Test half-century, the left-handed Jaiswal lost overnight partner KL Rahul for 22 in the opening hour of play.
Using the sweep effectively, Jaiswal took on the bowlers, hitting one six and seven fours before leaving Harmer.
India was further disadvantaged at the first break when Harmer caught Sai Sudharsan at mid-wicket for 15 and Jansen dismissed Dhruv Jurel for a duck.
Soon after, in the second session, captain Rishabh Pant was caught behind for 7 by Jansen, and the batting collapsed like nine pins.
Aiden Markram dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy (10) off Jansen with a spectacular one-handed diving grab to his right after sprinting from second slip.
