In Guwahati, on November 25 (NationPress), India concluded Day 4 at 27/2 at stumps, facing a colossal target of 549 runs set by South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The Proteas exhibited unwavering control during the day, highlighted by a remarkable 94 from Tristan Stubbs, leading to their declaration at 260/5.

Marco Jansen maintained his exceptional form from the prior innings and achieved a pivotal breakthrough early in India's final innings by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal in the seventh over. Jaiswal returned to the pavilion after accumulating 13 runs from 20 balls, allowing B Sai Sudharsan to join KL Rahul at the crease.

However, the second-wicket partnership was short-lived as Simon Harmer celebrated dismissing Rahul in the 10th over. Rahul attempted a shot across the line but missed, resulting in his stumps being rattled. With both openers gone, India found themselves in a precarious position. Rahul lunged to meet the ball but misjudged its dip, leading to an inside edge.

India sent in Kuldeep Yadav as the nightwatchman, who successfully defended his wicket until the end of the session, remaining unbeaten alongside Sudharsan.

The day commenced with South Africa resuming at 26/0, with openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram appearing composed as they stretched the score to 58. However, India's spinners soon made inroads. Ravindra Jadeja was the first to strike, dismissing Rickelton for 35 after the batter attempted an overly aggressive shot. Jadeja also removed Markram for 29 with a sharply turning delivery, signaling India's resurgence.

Washington Sundar supported Jadeja efficiently with a disciplined spell, subtly varying his pace to restrict South Africa's run flow. His efforts paid off when he dismissed captain Temba Bavuma, who flicked a simple catch to leg slip. Despite a few missed run-out opportunities, India's energetic fielding prevented South Africa from capitalizing early. By tea, the visitors stood at 107/3, indicating a balanced contest.

However, the partnership between Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs shifted the momentum again. The duo blended restraint with aggression, frequently finding boundaries and effectively rotating the strike. Their confident stroke play suggested a more favorable batting surface than what India had struggled on. Zorzi's authoritative sweeps and Stubbs' controlled shot-making gradually sapped India's earlier enthusiasm.

After tea, Jadeja trapped de Zorzi lbw for 49, ending a significant stand, yet the breakthrough did little to slow South Africa's advance. Stubbs remained untroubled, reaching a composed fifty. Partnered with Wiaan Mulder, he pushed the lead beyond 500 runs while India searched for more wickets, even resorting to part-timer Jaiswal. South Africa added 113 runs in the session for the loss of just one wicket, tightening their grip on the match.

At lunch, the visitors were firmly in control at 220/4 after 70 overs. After the break, South Africa continued batting as Stubbs approached a century. Upon his dismissal for 94, Bavuma promptly declared the innings at 260/5.

Brief Scores: South Africa 489 & 260/5d in 78.3 overs (Tristan Stubbs 94, Tony de Zorzi 49; Ravindra Jadeja 4/62) lead India 201 & 27/2 in 15.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 13, KL Rahul 6; Simon Harmer 1-1, Marco Jansen 1-14) by 521 runs.