India collapses; 201 all out against Jansen storm, South Africa takes massive 288-run lead

GUWAHATI: India managed only 201 runs in their first innings of the second Test against South Africa, giving the hosts a massive 288-run lead. Despite the advantage, South Africa chose not to enforce the follow-on and opted to begin their second innings instead.

It was pacer Marco Jansen who destroyed the Indian batting lineup. He took six wickets, giving away only 48 runs in 19.5 overs. Among the Indian batters, only opener Yashasvi Jaiswal managed to score a half-century, making 58 runs off 97 balls. KL Rahul added 22 runs. Despite a good start, India suffered a collapse in the middle order. Dhruv Jurel (0), Rishabh Pant (7), Ravindra Jadeja (6), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (10) failed to contribute and returned to the pavilion quickly.

Jansen was the one who took the key wickets in the middle order. Washington Sundar (48 off 92 balls) and Kuldeep Yadav (19 off 134 balls) tried to avoid the follow-on, but both were dismissed. Kuldeep faced the most balls for India in the first innings. Tail-enders Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah helped India cross the 200-run mark. Apart from Jansen, spinners Simon Harmer took three wickets and Keshav Maharaj picked up one.