0-5 loading? India lose openers in chase of 549 at stumps on Day 4

First New Zealand, and now South Africa. The spectre of a nightmarish 0-5 scoreline loomed ominously over India once again as Day 4 of the second Test unfolded at the ACA Stadium on Tuesday.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

With every session, the Proteas tightened their grip on the match and the series, marching closer to what would be their first Test series victory on Indian soil since 2001. A commanding declaration at 260/5, built on a superb 94 from Tristan Stubbs, left India staring at an almost insurmountable target of 549. By stumps, the hosts were already tottering at 27/2, their hopes of a comeback slipping rapidly.

Marco Jansen, who had tormented India in the first innings, struck the first blow yet again. In the seventh over, he sent back Yashasvi Jaiswal for 13, the opener edging behind after a nervy stay. That brought B Sai Sudharsan to the middle alongside KL Rahul, but the partnership barely took shape before off-spinner Simon Harmer dismantled it in the 10th over. Rahul, attempting to close his bat face across the line, misjudged the dip and drift of the delivery completely. The ball sneaked through, brushing an inside edge before clattering into the stumps, a dismissal that summed up India's muddled mindset in a chase of such enormous scale.