The previous instance of India being forced to follow-on at home before the ongoing second Test against South Africa occurred in 2010 at Nagpur, and it was once again against the same team. Batting first, South Africa piled up a massive 558/6 declared, powered by Hashim Amla’s unbeaten double century of 253 off 473 deliveries.
Jacques Kallis added to the dominance with a superb 173 from 351 balls. India were then bowled out for 233 in 64.4 overs, giving the visitors a commanding 325-run advantage. Virender Sehwag top-scored with 109 off 139, while S. Badrinath contributed 56 from 139. With minimal support from the rest, South Africa enforced the follow-on, sending India back to bat again.
In the second innings, India produced a stronger display and reached 319, with Sachin Tendulkar registering a composed century (100 off 179). Despite the improved fight, the total was still insufficient, and South Africa secured victory by an innings and six runs. Before this 2010 match, touring sides had forced India to follow-on at home only twice—Australia in 2001 and New Zealand in 2003.
South Africa Opts Against Enforcing Follow-On In Second Test vs India
In the ongoing second Test in Guwahati, South Africa produced a commanding first-innings effort, putting 489 runs on the board. Senuran Muthusamy anchored the innings brilliantly with a superb 109, and Marco Jansen added a crucial 93 to strengthen their total. India, however, faltered with the bat and were bowled out for 201 in 83.5 overs on the third day.
Yashasvi Jaiswal compiled a steady 58, while Washington Sundar contributed a valuable 48 lower down the order. Holding a substantial 289-run advantage, South Africa had the chance to enforce the follow-on, yet skipper Temba Bavuma surprisingly chose not to take that option.
Consequently, the visitors will return to bat again, aiming to stretch their lead further and eventually present India with a massive fourth-innings challenge. With a victory already secured in the first Test in Kolkata, South Africa appear well-positioned to push for a 2-0 series sweep and create a memorable piece of cricketing history.
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