South Africa's dominant batting performance in the Guwahati Test has put India in a near-impossible position, handing the Proteas a massive lead exceeding 500 runs. This historic effort by the South African side highlights the Indian bowling attack's struggle and necessitates a record-breaking effort from the Indian batsmen to avoid defeat.
The Historical Low Point for India
The magnitude of South Africa's lead against India on home soil is extremely rare:
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Against India (Overall): This is only the fifth time in Test cricket history that a team has taken a lead of over 500 runs against Team India. The last instance occurred 19 years ago against Pakistan in the Karachi Test (2006).
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Against India (At Home): This is only the second time on Indian soil that a visiting team has accumulated a second-innings lead of 500 runs or more. The only other instance was 21 years ago, when Australia achieved a massive 542-run lead in the 2004 Nagpur Test.
The Record-Breaking Target
The colossal target India is set to face in the fourth innings renders victory highly improbable, requiring the team to rewrite the record books:
| Chase Record | Score / Target | Team / Opposition | Year |
| Highest Successful Chase (World) | 418 runs | West Indies vs Australia | 2003 |
| Highest Successful Chase (India) | 387 runs | India vs England (Chennai) | 2008 |
| Highest Successful Chase (Asia) | 395 runs | West Indies vs Bangladesh (Chattogram) | 2021 |
Since South Africa's lead has crossed 500, India will be chasing a target well over 450, far surpassing the current world record of 418 runs. For India to win, they must set a new world record for the highest successful run chase in Test cricket history.
With the pitch continuing to wear down and the spin bowling posing an increasing threat, India's realistic goals will now shift from winning to attempting to survive for a draw, a monumental task in itself.
