Key points
- South Africa beat India by 408 runs in the 2nd Test at Barsapara, winning the series 2-0.
- This is India biggest defeat by runs in Test cricket history, and only the second time they have been whitewashed in a home Test series in consecutive years.
- South Africa posted 489 in the first innings, built around Senuran Muthusamy 109 and Marco Jansen 93.
- India replied with 201, as Yashasvi Jaiswal 58 and Washington Sundar 48 resisted before Marco Jansen 6-48 and Simon Harmer 3-64 tore through the lineup.
- South Africa declared their second innings on 260 for 5, led by Tristan Stubbs 94, setting India a target of 549.
- India were bowled out for 140 in the fourth innings, with Ravindra Jadeja 54 the only significant contribution as Simon Harmer claimed 6-37 and Keshav Maharaj took 2 wickets.
- Temba Bavuma extended his unbeaten run as Test captain, with 11 wins in 12 matches, as South Africa clinched their first Test series win in India in 25 years.
South Africa completed a 2-0 sweep after winning the first Test in Kolkata by 30 runs, where India failed to chase 124 and were bowled out for 93, giving the visitors their first Test win in India in 15 years. The Guwahati result delivered South Africa first Test series win on Indian soil since the 1999-2000 tour, breaking a 25 year drought and marking only the second time India have been whitewashed at home in back to back Test series.
The match was also historic for the venue, as Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati hosted its first ever Test, and South Africa dominated almost every session to spoil India debut at the ground. Temba Bavuma captaincy record grew even stronger, with the Proteas skipper still unbeaten in Tests since taking over, now boasting 11 wins and 1 draw.
How the Guwahati Test unfolded
Bavuma chose to bat first after winning the toss, and South Africa piled up 489 in their first innings on a slow but true surface. Senuran Muthusamy anchored the innings with his maiden Test century, scoring 109, while Marco Jansen produced a powerful 93, and there were useful contributions from Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder and Kyle Verreynne. For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful bowler with 4 wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja shared the remaining scalps.
In reply, India reached 201, slipping from a steady start to a dramatic collapse. Yashasvi Jaiswal top scored with 58 at the top of the order and Washington Sundar added 48 lower down, but the rest of the batting faltered against high quality pace and spin as Jansen delivered a career best 6 for 48, with Harmer supporting through 3 for 64. South Africa opted not to enforce the follow on despite a 288 run lead, and batted again to grind India further out of the contest.
In the second innings, the Proteas declared on 260 for 5, setting India a mammoth 549 to win on a surface starting to wear and assist spin. Tristan Stubbs fell agonisingly short of a century with 94, while Tony de Zorzi 49, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder all chipped in with important runs to keep India under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja was the standout bowler for India in this innings, picking up 4 wickets, while Washington Sundar claimed the other.
India second collapse and record defeat
Chasing 549, India resumed the final day on 27 for 2 and never looked in the game as South Africa spinners took firm control. Ravindra Jadeja fought hard with a gritty 54, but no other batter crossed 20, and the hosts were shot out for 140, continuing a worrying trend of sub 220 totals across the entire series. Off spinner Simon Harmer was the destroyer in chief with figures of 6 for 37, while left arm spinner Keshav Maharaj picked up 2 wickets and Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen chipped in with one each.
The 408 run margin went past all previous defeats by runs for India in Test cricket, officially becoming their biggest loss. Aiden Markram also entered the record books by taking 9 catches in the match, the most by any fielder in this Test, underlining South Africa sharpness in the field across the five days.
What this loss means for India
This 2 0 series defeat has pushed India down the World Test Championship 2025 27 table, with South Africa gaining crucial points that strengthen their early campaign. Questions are now being asked about India batting against quality spin at home, after consecutive home whitewashes and multiple collapses on turning tracks.
Head coach and team management will face scrutiny over selection calls, underperforming seniors and the failure to adapt quickly to conditions that South Africa exploited far better with both bat and ball. For South Africa, this tour will be remembered as a landmark achievement, combining disciplined batting, relentless bowling from Jansen, Harmer and Maharaj, and assured leadership from Bavuma to end a 25 year wait for a series victory in India.
