By A decisive 45-minute spell across the tea break on day three pushed India to the brink as South Africa tightened its hold on the second Test. For the second straight day, Marco Jansen dominated, claiming a superb 6 for 48 to bowl India out for 201.
Despite a 288-run lead, Temba Bavuma chose not to enforce the follow-on, and South Africa closed at 26/0, ahead by 314.
Jansen, who earlier smashed a rapid 93 to lift the Proteas to 489, used his steep bounce to dismantle India. Starting at 9/0, India collapsed from a promising 95/1 to 122/7, losing six wickets for just 27 runs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and K.L. Rahul gave India hope with a brisk 65-run stand, Jaiswal racing to 58 before Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer triggered the slide. Poor shot selection added to India’s woes—Rahul edged to slip, Jaiswal miscued one, Sudharsan gifted a catch, and Dhruv Jurel threw his wicket away before tea.
After the interval, Rishabh Pant fell attacking recklessly, and Jansen’s short balls removed Nitish Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja in quick succession. Washington Sundar (48) and Kuldeep Yadav fought back with a 72-run stand, but Jansen returned with the second new ball to wrap up the innings and secure his fourth five-for.
