South Africa are on the brink of a first Test series win in India for 25 years after reducing the hosts to 27-2 in pursuit of 549 on day four in Guwahati.

India, who were skittled for 201 in their first innings, must bat throughout the final day to avoid a second whitewash in three home Test series.

Prior to last October’s 3-0 defeat by New Zealand, they hadn’t lost a Test series on home soil for 12 years.

South Africa won the two-Test series opener in Kolkata by 30 runs.

Resuming on 26-0, South Africa wobbled to 77-3, losing three wickets for 18 runs in a 13-over spell, before Tristan Stubbs took charge.

Top-scoring with 94, he shared a century partnership with Tony de Zorzi and added a further 82 alongside Wiaan Mulder to power South Africa’s overnight lead of 314 to beyond 500.

He missed out on a third Test century when he was bowled by a slower ball from spinner Ravindra Jadeja (4-62), prompting South Africa’s declaration.

In reply, India lost two wickets inside 10 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal caught behind off Marco Jansen and KL Rahul bowled by Simon Harmer.

Kuldeep Yadav, who faced 134 deliveries for his 19 in the first innings, was sent out as nightwatcher and remained not out on four at stumps. Sai Sudharsan has six.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction

Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane, returns to north London on Wednesday to face old rivals Arsenal, arguably in the best form of his career after dropping into a deeper position.

Always a consistent goalscorer, the England captain has become a more complete player at Bayern, shouldering more creative and defensive duties.

The 32-year-old’s form is a big reason for Bayern’s remarkable start to the campaign.

The German champions have won 17 and drawn one of their 18 games in all competitions this season, with Kane playing every match.

Kane, who has scored 15 times in 21 matches against Arsenal, may be the key to unlock the Gunners’ stingy defence.

Mikel Arteta’s side are the only team not to have conceded in the Champions League this season. In the Premier League, Arsenal have shipped just six goals — the best record in Europe’s top five leagues.

Kane is again producing incredible numbers this campaign, with 24 goals in 18 Bayern appearances and five from five for England.

But Kane’s weight of numbers only tells part of the story this season.

Always willing to drop deep, Kane has often been deployed as a creative midfielder by Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, sitting behind either Nicolas Jackson or Serge Gnabry.

Whether by design or necessity — Jamal Musiala has been out with a broken ankle since the Club World Cup — the move has not only unleashed Kane’s game, but the England captain is having fun.

“I know I’m not just a goal-scorer,” Kane said after Saturday’s come-from-behind 6-2 win over Freiburg. “I can impact the team with passing, one-on-one situations, and taking the pressure off the team.

“This is the most I’ve enjoyed my football because I’m just involved more. I love the way we play. A really aggressive style, no fear.

“I love tackling, I love helping the team out and blocking shots and all that part of it as well.

“Obviously, I’m going to be judged on goals, but I think, especially this season, people will appreciate some of the other stuff I do as well.”

Kane will need to shoulder a bit more of the scoring load with Luis Diaz, who netted both of Bayern’s goals in their 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain, suspended for three Champions League matches after his red card for a tackle on Achraf Hakimi.

Kane moved to Bayern in 2023 after coming through the ranks at Tottenham, after being cut by north London rivals Arsenal as a child.

“I was there for a couple of years and got released,” Kane said Saturday, but declined to use the rejection as a motivator.

“It’s all part and parcel of the journey of football. That was 20 years ago, a long time ago.

“We’ve moved on a long way since then.”

Kane faced Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2023-24, scoring a penalty as Bayern won over two legs.

“It’s very familiar territory for me. Having played for Tottenham for so long, it adds a bit more to the game,” Kane said.

Bayern are flying high, but they are vulnerable to set-pieces, which is one of Arsenal’s biggest strengths.

Bayern have conceded four goals in their past two games, all of which came from set plays.

Arsenal have scored 24 goals in the Premier League this season, 10 of which have come from set-pieces.

Kompany admitted his side had an “issue” with dead-ball situations, saying: “You can’t hide it, everyone saw it. Arsenal’s analysts will see it too.

“We have to show personality, character, and defend those things. But I have confidence in our side.”

LeBron James became the first player to take part in 23 consecutive NBA seasons when he stepped onto the court for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old, who missed his side’s opening 14 games of the season because of sciatica, contributed 11 points, 12 assists and three rebounds in 30 minutes of a 140-126 home win over the Utah Jazz.

James – the NBA’s record scorer – overtook Vince Carter’s mark of having played in 22 successive NBA seasons, while his two three-pointers also moved him above Reggie Miller into sixth place in the NBA’s all-time list of most three-pointers made.

“It’s been a long time since he played basketball, so I think for the first game back, he looked amazing,” said Lakers team-mate Luka Doncic.

“He’s going to keep getting his rhythm, and help us a lot.”

Doncic had a game high 37 points and four steals in the win against the Jazz as he also contributed 10 assists and five rebounds.

Austin Reaves scored 26 points for the Lakers, while Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen scored 34 and 31 points respectively for Utah.

The win puts the Lakers fourth in the Western Conference, with the Jazz in 10th place.