South Africa set India a target of 549 on Day 4 of the 2nd Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
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The morning session was identical to every 1st session so far in the match. The Proteas looked calm for the first hour, scoring freely and building a partnership, until spin came in to disrupt what had been built.
Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram put on 59 when three wickets fell in quick succession.
Rickelton (35) danced down the track and sliced Jadeja to cover. Markram (29) looked for a forward defence, but was bowled by Jadeja, and Bavuma gloved Washington to leg slip. SA were reduced to 77-3.
Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs survived till tea. They took South Africa past the 100-run mark to 107-3 and their lead to 395.
After the break, they took that lead past 400.
The pair put on a partnership of 101, taking SA to a lead of 466 runs, when De Zorzi (49) was trapped lbw by Jadeja, looking for a sweep shot. SA were 178-4.
Wiaan Mulder joined Stubbs, and stuck with him as he brought up his 3rd half-century.
They took South Africa into a lead of 508 when lunch was called, with SA on 220-4.
The question was now, when the Proteas would declare. The highest run chase in Test cricket was
418/7 by the West Indies against Australia in 2003.
The highest target set in India was 557 that the hosts set for England in 2024.
South Africa held back the declaration so that Stubbs could try to get a century, he was bowled by Jajdeja on 94, looking for a slog sweep to get to his milestone.
The Proteas declared on 260-5 setting a target of 549, the second highest target ever set on Indian soil.
India got themself to 17-0 before they lost their first wicket, Yashasvi Jaiswal nicking Marco Jansen to the keeper.
In Simon Harmer’s first over he removed KL Rahul, India were reduced to 21-2.
India ended the day on 27-2, 522 runs behind.