In the second Test against South Africa, the Indian cricket team is facing the looming threat of a follow-on. India has not been forced to follow-on at home in Test cricket since 2010.
India Under Pressure
At lunch on the third day of the second and final Test in Guwahati, India had scored 174/7 in their first innings. South Africa had posted a massive 489 runs in their first innings, leaving India trailing by 315 runs. At the lunch break, Washington Sundar was batting on 33 and Kuldeep Yadav on 14. The Indian team, led by Rishabh Pant, is under pressure to save the follow-on.
How Many Runs to Avoid Follow-On?
India had lost 7 wickets for just 122 runs before Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar stabilized the innings. The team needs to reach 290 runs in their first innings to avoid the follow-on. That means India requires another 116 runs. Reaching this mark will force South Africa to bat again, giving India a chance to dictate terms in the match.
A Rare Home Follow-On
India has avoided a follow-on at home for 15 years. The last time it happened was also against South Africa in Nagpur. In that match, South Africa scored 558/6 in their first innings, with Hashim Amla scoring 253 and Jacques Kallis 173. Despite Virender Sehwag’s 109, India was bowled out for 233 in the first innings. Sachin Tendulkar scored a century in the second innings, but India still lost by an innings and 6 runs. Gautam Gambhir was part of the playing XI, while Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman did not play.
Notably, India has previously managed to win or draw matches after a follow-on:
- 2001, Kolkata vs Australia – Win
- 2003, Mohali vs New Zealand – Draw
This match against South Africa adds another high-stakes chapter to India’s history of follow-on challenges at home.
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