South Africa has etched a new chapter in cricket history at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati by setting a colossal target of 549 runs for India in the second Test match. This formidable score marks a significant milestone as it shatters a 21 year old record for the highest run chase ever set by a visiting team on Indian soil. The previous record was held by Australia who set a target of 543 runs during the Nagpur Test in 2004 a match that India eventually lost by a substantial margin.

The South African team declared their second innings at 260 for 5 effectively putting the Indian team under immense pressure on the fourth day of the contest Tristan Stubbs was the standout performer for the visitors falling agonizingly short of a well deserved century with a score of 94 runs off 180 balls. His innings was supported by Tony de Zorzi who contributed a valuable 49 and a solid unbeaten partnership involving Wiaan Mulder. On the bowling front for India Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets while giving away 62 runs in a determined effort to curb the scoring. The massive target has left India with a near impossible challenge as the highest successful run chase in Test history remains 418 runs. As the match progresses the home team faces a daunting task to either chase down the total or bat through the remaining sessions to salvage a draw in what has become a historic and record breaking encounter dominated by the visiting side.

Read More: Guwahati Test Witnesses History as South Africa Sets Monumental 549 Run Target