India, Nov. 24 -- A batting meltdown, on what Kuldeep Yadav described as a "road," left India on the verge of a second home whitewash in 12 months. Marco Jansen, who followed up his blazing 91-ball 92 with a record six-wicket haul, single-handedly led South Africa's charge, as India crumbled for just 201. By the end of Day 3 in Guwahati, the visitors had extended their lead to 314 runs. At the centre of the raging criticism were stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant and No. 4 batter Dhruv Jurel.

Batting at No. 7, Pant tried to attack Jansen but edged a short ball to the keeper-a moment labelled a "brain fade." Earlier, Jurel, filling in for the injured Shubman Gill, played a needless pull shot off the same bowler, holing out to mid-on.

At the c...