Tension Boils Over for India on Frustrating Day
The third day of the Test match in Guwahati witnessed Mohammed Siraj's frustration reaching its peak, creating one of the most talked-about moments of the game. The incident occurred during South Africa's second innings when Siraj, positioned in the deep, launched an erratic throw that sailed well beyond wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Pant couldn't gather the wild return, forcing KL Rahul at slip position to spring into immediate action. Rahul's quick reflexes prevented additional runs, but the moment highlighted India's growing anxiety on the field.
Rahul's Composed Response Goes Viral
What happened next became an instant social media sensation. Rahul turned toward Siraj with deliberate, calming gestures, clearly urging the pace bowler to settle down and maintain composure. While Siraj acknowledged the advice with a smile, the exchange perfectly encapsulated India's mounting pressure as they desperately searched for breakthroughs.
Repeatedly throughout the session, Rahul could be seen signaling with his hands, emphasizing the need to stay calm and avoid rushing. The visual of an experienced player mentoring a fiery fast bowler provided a fascinating subplot to the day's proceedings.
South Africa's Dominance Continues Unabated
India's frustrations stemmed from another punishing day dominated by the visitors. Marco Jansen's impressive bowling figures of 6/48 had earlier bundled out the Indian batting lineup for 201 runs, despite a resilient 72-run partnership between Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav for the eighth wicket.
South Africa, holding a substantial 288-run first innings lead, opted against enforcing the follow-on. They finished the day at 26/0, extending their overall advantage to a commanding 314 runs with two full days of play remaining.
The only lighthearted moment for Indian supporters came from Siraj himself between overs, when the pacer playfully placed his cap on the hovering spidercam. The amusing prank, which temporarily covered the camera lens and required operator intervention, provided brief comic relief on an otherwise challenging day for the home team.
