In a remarkable achievement, South Africa has clinched its first Test series win in India since 2000, securing a dominant victory by 408 runs in the second Test held in Guwahati. This historic win marks only the second series victory for South Africa in India over the past 25 years, with the previous win occurring under the captaincy of Hansie Cronje against an Indian side led by Sachin Tendulkar.
Decisive Performance in Guwahati
After winning the opening Test in Kolkata by 30 runs, South Africa set an imposing target of 549 runs for India in the final match. The Proteas scored 489 and 260-5 in their two innings. In response, India struggled significantly, managing only 201 runs in their first innings, which left them with a daunting 288-run lead to overcome.
On the final day of the Test, India faced a steep challenge as they lost three wickets in the morning session, reaching just 90-5 at tea. The collapse continued, with India losing five wickets in just over an hour, ultimately finishing at 140 all out in their second innings. This defeat marked India’s second consecutive home loss, following a 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand in October 2024.
Key Contributions and Records
Off-spinner Simon Harmer played a pivotal role in South Africa’s victory, achieving a career-best performance of 6-37 in the final innings. Over the course of the two-match series, he took a remarkable total of 17 wickets, solidifying his position as a key figure in this historic win. This was Harmer’s first five-wicket haul on Indian soil, having previously recorded four four-wicket hauls in the country.
In the field, Aiden Markram made history by claiming nine catches during the match, setting a record for the most catches by a fielder in a single Test. On the Indian side, Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the top scorer in the second innings, contributing 54 runs off 87 balls, although the team notably missed their captain Shubman Gill, who was sidelined due to a neck injury sustained in Kolkata.
Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, South Africa has enjoyed significant success, winning 11 out of 12 Tests since he took over as captain. This includes their victory in the 2025 World Test Championship final held in June. The match in Guwahati also marked a milestone, being the first Test played at the Barsapara Stadium, which is now the 30th Test venue in India.
As South Africa celebrates this hard-fought victory, the focus will now shift to India’s future in the red-ball format, as they navigate through a period of transition following consecutive home defeats. The series win not only boosts South Africa’s morale but also sets a challenging precedent for the Indian team as they prepare for upcoming international matches.
