The second day of the Guwahati Test took an unexpected turn as India find the shoe on the other foot. What started as a hopeful morning for India soon became a tough, tiring battle against South Africa’s lower order. With long partnerships, patient batting, and aggressive counterattacks, the visitors put India under pressure throughout the day. Here’s a clear, simple 400-word breakdown of how India find the shoe on the other foot in this dramatic Test match.
1. Tight South African Resistance in the Morning
India entered Day 2 aiming to finish the last four South African wickets quickly. Instead, India find the shoe on the other foot as Kyle Verreynne and Senuran Muthusamy showed remarkable patience. They defended solidly, controlling over 94% of deliveries in the morning session—their best control of the tour.Even though South Africa scored slowly, India struggled to break through early.
Kuldeep Yadav adjusted his lengths and pace, mixing slower and quicker balls as India find the shoe on the other foot, unable to rush through the batting lineup. India’s spinners bowled shorter than Day 1, trying to stop runs, but the pitch had become better for batting.Rishabh Pant, leading with maturity, set careful fields and avoided unnecessary aggression. His strategy showed awareness of conditions as India find the shoe on the other foot and had to stay patient rather than chase wickets.
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2. Marco Jansen Turns the Match on Its Head
Things changed when Verreynne finally fell for 122 balls, but that’s when India find the shoe on the other foot once again. At 334/7, India expected a quick finish—but Marco Jansen had other plans.Jansen produced a stunning counterattack, smashing 93 runs off 91 balls with seven massive sixes. As he kept hitting, India’s bowlers—already tired after 120 overs—were forced to bowl 30 more overs for the last three wickets.
Pant kept adjusting fielders and encouraged bowlers to stay patient, but India find the shoe on the other foot as nothing worked.South Africa eventually reached 489 runs in their first innings after batting 151 overs, giving India a massive challenge. The importance of winning the toss again became clear, reminding India of past matches where they dominated South Africa by batting first. Now, India find the shoe on the other foot, facing the same pressure they once put on their opponents.
India’s Task Ahead
India played 6.1 overs before stumps, but their real challenge begins on Day 3. With a big total to chase and long hours ahead, India find the shoe on the other foot and will need focus, discipline, and strong partnerships to stay alive in this Test match.
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