South Africa Humiliate India by 408 Runs to Seal Crushing 2–0 Test Sweep
GUWAHATI: South Africa produced a ruthless all-round display to thrash India by a massive 408 runs in the second Test, completing a clean sweep of the two-match series at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the star of the show, finishing with a remarkable nine-wicket match haul to spearhead the Proteas’ triumph.
After choosing to bat, South Africa posted a commanding 489 in 151.1 overs. The innings was shaped by an extraordinary effort from the lower order, with Senuran Muthusamy crafting a patient yet crucial 109 off 206 balls, decorated with 10 boundaries and two sixes. Marco Jansen added further firepower, blasting 93 from 91 deliveries and clearing the ropes seven times.
Kuldeep Yadav was India’s most effective bowler, picking up 4 for 115, while Jadeja, Siraj and Bumrah chipped in with two wickets each.
India’s reply never really took shape as they were rolled over for 201, falling 288 runs short. Yashasvi Jaiswal struck 58, and Washington Sundar added 48, but Jansen’s fiery 6 for 48 dismantled the top and middle order, with Harmer contributing three wickets.
Despite the huge lead, South Africa chose to bat again, reaching 260 for 5 before declaring. Tristan Stubbs top-scored with a gritty 94, Tony de Zorzi made 49, and useful contributions came from Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton.
India were then handed an Everest-like target of 549 but wilted under sustained pressure, folding for just 140 in the final innings. Ravindra Jadeja fought alone with a battling 54, but the rest crumbled against South Africa’s disciplined attack.
Harmer capped off his brilliant Test with figures of 6 for 37 in the second innings, taking his match tally to nine. Keshav Maharaj claimed two wickets, while Jansen and Muthusamy added one each to wrap up a superb away-series win for the Proteas.
