Can India Avoid the Follow On During 2nd Test Against South Africa?

The India national cricket team is in a spot of bother during the second Test of the series against South Africa. The Men in Blue have been pushed to the ropes by some fantastic bowling from South African bowlers at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

After electing to bat first, South Africa put up a massive total on the board as they scored 489 in their first innings. In reply, India have already lost more than half of their side and are struggling to avoid the follow on. With the visitors in complete control of the match, the IND vs SA 2nd Test follow on remains a possibility.

Will South Africa Apply Follow On?

With the match slowly slipping out of the hands, India are struggling to avoid the follow on. The Men in Blue need to score 289 in their first innings to avoid the follow on. As a result, India need to bat out of their skins with just three wickets remaining. You can follow the match on Sportsdunia live cricket score.

The follow on in cricket history is popular in India. The most iconic match of follow on was played in India during 2001 between India and Australia. It is possible that the Proteas might not enforce the follow on in this match despite having a lead of more than 200 runs if they want to keep their bowlers fresh. The enforcing of follow on would mean that the South African bowlers would have to bowl again which increases the risk of injury.

Currently, Washington Sundar is batting alongside Kuldeep Yadav. Sundar is a capable batter and is one of the best all-rounders in the world. He can bat for a long period of time. However, the current situation is a big task for him. If India are to make a comeback, Sundar will have to play a key role here.

Sundar batted at No. 3 in the last match but was pushed down to No. 8 in this game. His promotion in the batting order in the last match drew backlash from the experts who criticised the head coach Gautam Gambhir for running the Test team like an ODI set-up.

South Africa on Top

Earlier in the match, South Africa scored 489 on the back of fantastic knocks from lower order batters, Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen. The Proteas were 247-6 at stumps on Day 1 but their lower order ensured that they put up an above par total. Muthusamy scored his maiden Test hundred and went on to score 109 off 206 balls.

Meanwhile, Marco Jansen scored a counter-attacking 93 off just 91 balls with 6 fours and 7 sixes. Jansen, who is one of the best Test bowlers in the world, went on to stun India's top order with a breathtaking spell later. He picked up four out of the first seven wickets of India and is one of the reasons of India's downfall in this match.