India, Nov. 24 -- South Africa's 489 at the Barsapara has already bent the second Test out of shape. By lunch on Day 3, India were 174/7, still 315 runs behind, their top order undone by Marco Jansen's bounce and Simon Harmer's control on a pitch that has otherwise looked benign.

And when you place this scoreline against India's history after conceding 400-plus in the first innings while fielding first, the hole looks even deeper. From Adelaide 2003 to Chennai 2016, comebacks have been rare enough to be remembered by venue and year rather than as a pattern.

Since 1934, India have played 103 Tests where they have fielded first and watched the opposition go over 400 or more in the first innings. The record: 10 wins, 43 defeats, 48 draws....