New Delhi, Nov 25 (NationPress) As India found themselves at 27/2 while chasing a daunting target of 549 set by South Africa, former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble offered a critical assessment of KL Rahul's dismissal on Day 4 in Guwahati, describing it as "surprising" and avoidable considering the situation of the match.

With an almost impossible target in sight, India's opening batsmen struggled to find their footing. Marco Jansen dismissed Jaiswal for 13 in the seventh over, followed by Simon Harmer who sent Rahul back three overs later. Rahul's attempt to play across the line resulted in his stumps being shattered.

"Simon bowled a fantastic delivery, there's no doubt about it. However, KL attempted the shot without fully getting to the pitch of the ball," Kumble pointed out, emphasizing that Rahul's stance and guard choice rendered him susceptible. "The revolutions Simon Harmer puts on the ball caused a bit of dip, and the line was impeccable. Typically, on a fourth- or fifth-day pitch with enough rough, you cover all three stumps since LBW is unlikely from that angle — it usually impacts outside off-stump. That’s why I found it a bit surprising."

Rahul had to reach out and play away from his body because his center-stump guard was still exposed, as noted by Kumble.

"He opted for a center-stump guard, but his off-stump was still visible. Ideally, standing on middle-and-off allows you to comfortably reach or defend the ball. But when standing on middle-and-leg, the off-stump is exposed, forcing you to reach for the ball, bringing short-leg into play. Otherwise, you have to play off the back foot. Perhaps it was a moment of lost concentration. He believed it was a drivable ball, but it dipped, and credit goes to Harmer. He aimed to drive but fell victim to a classic off-spinner’s dismissal."

South Africa concluded their innings at 260/5 after a powerful 94 from Tristan Stubbs, extending their lead to 549 before Temba Bavuma declared. Earlier in the day, the Proteas built their innings solidly, advancing from 26/0 to 58 before Ravindra Jadeja initiated a brief Indian fightback by dismissing Ryan Rickelton (35) and Aiden Markram (29).

Washington Sundar added Bavuma's wicket, reducing the visitors to 107/3. Yet, Tony de Zorzi and Stubbs skillfully rebuilt, combining strike rotation with boundary-hitting to sap India's efforts. De Zorzi was dismissed lbw to Jadeja for 49, but Stubbs remained unfazed, guiding the team past the 500-run lead alongside Wiaan Mulder. South Africa amassed 113 runs in the post-tea session for the loss of just one wicket, leading to the declaration shortly after Stubbs fell six runs short of a well-deserved century.

Dale Steyn scrutinized India's top-order's decline and the relentless pressure exerted by the visitors' bowlers on a day where South Africa dictated terms from start to finish. Analyzing Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal, Steyn credited Jansen for his persistent aggression.

"Jaiswal's shot was somewhat of a false one. It’s his instinct — he enjoys playing that shot. He’s likely accustomed to right-arm bowlers angling the ball across him, making that shot feel natural. But with Marco Jansen bowling left-arm, it appears the ball will angle away and provide room, but often it’s tighter than he anticipates."

He elaborated on the technical flaw that led to Jaiswal's dismissal. "That’s why he sometimes drags the ball back onto his stumps or edges it. As the ball pitches, it tends to straighten rather than go across, resulting in edges — leading to bowled, caught in slips, or caught behind. It’s his go-to shot, and breaking that instinct is challenging. Once you see the ball in your zone, you play it. Perhaps he needs to consciously minimize that tendency. I recall Sachin once eliminating the drive from his game in Australia. Jaiswal may also need to say, ‘Unless it’s in a specific area, I won’t play it. In this area, I’ll trust my defense."