India are staring at an unwanted and rare Test cricket record as South Africa tightened their grip on the second Test in Guwahati on Tuesday. With a massive first-innings lead and two full days remaining, the visitors have put Rishabh Pant’s side on the brink of what could be only their third Test series whitewash in history.
India collapse again as South Africa take control
After suffering a crushing defeat inside three days in the opening Test at Kolkata, India entered the second match under immense pressure but looked even more deflated in Assam. The hosts allowed South Africa to post a commanding 489 in the first innings before folding for just 201, continuing their worrying batting trend this series.
Despite having the option to enforce the follow-on, South Africa decided to bat again, ending Day 3 at 26/0, extending their overall lead and eliminating any faint hopes of an Indian comeback.
A whitewash looming — how many times has it happened before?
If India lose this match, it will mark only the third time ever that they have been whitewashed in a Test series lasting more than one match.
Here’s a look at the previous instances:
1. India 0–2 South Africa (Home, 2000)
This remains one of the most shocking results in Indian cricket history. Hansie Cronje’s South Africa beat India 2–0 in India — the first time India ever suffered a clean sweep at home in a multi-Test series.
2. India 0–3 New Zealand (Away, 2024)
Last year, India were hammered 3–0 in New Zealand in conditions that exposed their batting frailties. This was India’s second-ever whitewash in a multi-match Test series.
Potential 3rd: India 0–2 South Africa (Home, 2025?)
With India trailing massively in Guwahati and already 0–1 down, another whitewash seems almost inevitable unless a miracle unfolds over the next two days.
India’s worrying decline
For a team that lifted the World Test Championship last year, India’s current form is alarming. Their struggles with the bat, failure to adjust to South Africa’s disciplined bowling, and inability to build partnerships have left them staring at a series defeat that could go down as one of their most disappointing in recent memory.
As things stand, India are not just fighting to save a match — they are fighting to avoid a stain on their Test cricket history.
