South Africa scripted a page of cricketing history on November 26, 2025, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, demolishing India by 408 runs to clinch a commanding 2-0 series whitewash—their first Test series victory on Indian soil since the 1999-2000 tour. Aiden Markram’s eight catches—a record for a fielder in a single Test—highlighted a dominant display, as Simon Harmer’s 6-48 and Marco Jansen’s all-round brilliance (93 & 7-71) sealed India’s collapse to 140 all out chasing 549. This crushing margin surpasses India’s previous heaviest home defeat by runs (342 vs Australia, Nagpur 2004), ending the hosts’ 12-year spotless home series record and handing South Africa 120 WTC points. For Rohit Sharma’s men, it’s back-to-back home whitewashes (0-3 to New Zealand 2024), sparking calls for introspection ahead of a nine-month Test hiatus.
Match Summary: Day 5 Dominance
- Final Scores: South Africa 489 (Jansen 93, Stubbs 94; Jadeja 4-64) & 260/5 dec (Bavuma 69, Verreynne 50*; Ashwin 3-59); India 201 (Pant 50; Jansen 6-48) & 140 (Jaiswal 13; Harmer 6-48)
- Result: South Africa won by 408 runs—biggest Indian home loss by runs
- Player of the Match: Marco Jansen (93, 7-71)
- Player of the Series: Simon Harmer (11 wickets @15.45)
- Attendance: Day 5 ~25,000 (Barsapara capacity 55,000)
- WTC Points: South Africa 120 (2-0 win); India 0 (series loss)
Harmer’s googly spell dismantled India, while Markram’s catches (9 total, record) stunned.
The Rout Unfolds: South Africa’s Relentless Day 5 Assault
Needing 549—India’s highest home chase 418 (vs England 2021)—Rohit Sharma’s side started Day 5 at 27/2 (Jaiswal 13, Kuldeep 4). Harmer (offspinner, 35) struck immediately: Googly bowls Yashasvi Jaiswal (lbw, 13)—second-fastest Indian opener dismissal in home Tests.
Over 104.2: Review by SA (Bavuma)—upheld; Muthusamy lbw (25).
Harmer: 6-48—googly short/turning; slog-sweep near midwicket boundary.
Jansen: 1-23—bouncer Jaiswal cut (cut shot).
India 90/5 (47 overs)—average 1.91 rpo, second-lowest in home series (12.42 vs NZ 2002/03).
Stumps Day 4: India 27/2 needing 522; Harmer 1-1.
Day 5: 113 runs in 47 overs—collapse complete.
Bavuma: “Heads roll? Up to BCCI—same guy got results England.”
Historical Hammer: India’s Worst Home Humiliation
408 runs: Biggest Indian home defeat by runs—surpasses 342 vs Aus Nagpur 2004.
India home series losses: 0-3 NZ 2024; now 0-2 SA 2025—first whitewash in 12 years.
Most catches fielder single Test: Markram 9 (ties Rahane 2015 vs SL)—8 previous 7.
India batters avg 15.23 in series—second-lowest home (12.42 NZ 2002/03).
SA’s subcontinent script: Bangladesh 2024 (2-0), Pakistan Rawalpindi level 2025, now India 2-0—flag hoisted.
Proteas: 2nd WTC (behind Aus); ODI series December 1 Guwahati.
India: No Test 9 months—introspection time.
Gambhir: “Transition spin/batting—BCCI decide. Same guy England results.”
Standout Stars: Harmer’s Spin Magic, Jansen All-Round Heroics
Harmer: 6-48 Day 5—11 series @15.45. Googly slog-sweep short boundary.
Jansen: 93 batting, 7-71 bowling—POTM.
Markram: 9 catches—record (ties Rahane 2015).
India: Pant 50 (first innings)—lone fight; Jaiswal 13 (cut bouncer).
Rohit: “Toil 151.1 overs—valuable time out. India 201—big lead.”
Bavuma: “History—flag hoisted Kolkata/Guwahati.”
Verdict: SA’s Subcontinent Conquest – India’s Wake-Up Call
South Africa’s 408-run Guwahati rout—2-0 whitewash—ends 25-year India series drought.
Harmer/Jansen masterclass; Markram record catches.
India’s worst home loss by runs—back-to-back whitewashes (NZ 2024).
9-month hiatus: Rebuild spin/batting—Gambhir under fire.
Proteas party; India ponder.
