Former head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the Indian team to tackle South Africa's new-ball threat in the morning session on Day 3 and consider an early declaration to force a result in the ongoing second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

Trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, the hosts were 9/0 at stumps on Day 2 after the Proteas racked up a massive 489/10 in their first innings.

South Africa’s lower-order proved to be the nemesis for Indian bowlers. Senuran Muthusamy (109) and Kyle Verreynne shared an 88-run stand for the seventh wicket, before the former added another 97 alongside No. 9 Marco Jansen (93).

“Tactically, India will have to take a call tomorrow. See how they get through the new ball and then take the game forward and force a win in this Test. They will have to call the shots, which means you might even want to declare behind," Shastri said while commentating.

“Then try and bowl out the opposition quickly in the second innings. You have got to take those chances. You cannot wait to bat and go past 489; that will take a long time. Might have to even declare 80, 90, 100 runs behind and see how it goes," he added.

There are only three instances in the history of Test cricket where a team declared its first innings while still behind the opponent's total and went on to win the match.

The first instance occurred during England’s 1934/35 tour of the West Indies, while the other two instances are from the 21st century - England vs South Africa at Centurion in 2000 and Australia vs West Indies at Bridgetown in 2012.

Having lost the opening Test in Kolkata by 30 runs, India are facing a must win situation in Guwahati to avoid another series loss at home after the humiliating 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand last year.