South Africa vs India Live: Match Schedule, Playing XI, Head-to-Head Stats & How to Watch

India vs South Africa 2nd Test, Guwahati – Day 4 Report: Proteas Poised for Historic Series Sweep South Africa tightened their grip on the World Test Championship clash in Guwahati on Tuesday, extending their second-innings advantage to a daunting 500-plus runs and leaving India staring at a first home series defeat to the Proteas in 23 years. Second-day hero Tristan Stubbs underlined his growing reputation with a patient, debut half-century that blunted India’s spin threat and nudged the visitors toward a 2-0 sweep after their 30-run win in Kolkata last week. At the close, South Africa were 203/4, already 505 ahead, with Stubbs unbeaten on 62 and Tony de Zorzi solid on 48. Key Moments • Early wickets, no panic: Resuming on 26/0, South Africa lost both openers to Ravindra Jadeja’s sharp turn, but Ryan Rickelton’s brisk 35 and Aiden Markram’s 29 ensured momentum never stalled. • Stubbs steals the show: The 25-year-old took 129 balls to reach fifty, milking singles and punishing anything short. His composure deprived India of breakthroughs during a sapping middle session. • Pant’s gamble misfires: Stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant rotated six bowlers and even rolled his arm over for two overs of leg-spin in a desperate bid for wickets, but the visibly wearing surface offered indifferent bounce that Stubbs and de Zorzi negotiated expertly. Why This Matters 1. Series history on the line: South Africa last won a Test rubber in India in 2000. A win here will end a drought spanning seven tours and vault them to No. 1 on the WTC table. 2. Indian fortress breached: India have lost just three of their previous 48 home Tests since 2012; defeat would ignite debate over batting depth and spin potency in the Gill-Pant era. 3. Momentum before white-ball leg: The teams shift gear after this Test for a three-match ODI series starting 30 November in Ranchi, followed by three T20Is — crucial rehearsal time ahead of the 2026 Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup. Pitch & Tactical Takeaways • Cracks widening: The Barsapara surface is crumbling, but inconsistent bite rather than prodigious spin has kept stroke-making viable. Expect South Africa to bat one more session, push the lead near 600, then unleash Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen on a weary Indian line-up. • India’s batting headache: With Rohit Sharma rested and Gill injured, India’s top order looked brittle in the first innings 201 all-out. Survival will hinge on Cheteshwar Pujara’s defensive steel and Rishabh Pant’s counter-punch. • Proteas’ pace-spin balance: Jansen’s bounce from the River End, backed by Maharaj’s relentless accuracy, proved decisive in Kolkata and promises more trouble as the pitch breaks further. What Next – Declaration watch: Coach Shukri Conrad hinted at an overnight declaration if the lead crosses 550, giving his bowlers five full sessions. – Weather check: A clear forecast suggests India cannot bank on rain escapes; the onus is on batting time rather than chasing an unlikely record chase. – Selection scrutiny: Questions will be asked of India’s decision to bench Mohammed Shami for a second successive Test; his reverse swing could have been vital on a wearing ball. SEO Key Phrases • “India vs South Africa live score 2nd Test” • “Stubbs fifty Guwahati Test” • “South Africa lead crosses 500” • “Proteas eye series sweep in India” • “Guwahati pitch report day 4” Bottom Line Unless India summon a 2013-style Miracle of Eden Gardens resilience, South Africa’s disciplined batting and superior bowling depth look set to carve their names into touring folklore, rewriting two decades of sub-continental struggle and reshaping the World Test Championship standings in dramatic fashion.