Muthusamy’s Debut Century Puts South Africa in Command Against India
South Africa seized control of the Guwahati Test as Senuran Muthusamy’s maiden century and Marco Jansen’s explosive 93 lifted the visitors to a dominant 489.
A Breakthrough Innings That Shifted the Test
South Africa delivered a statement performance on the second day of the Guwahati Test, piling up a commanding 489 that left India chasing the game from the outset. At the heart of that dominance was a landmark century from Senuran Muthusamy and a blistering career-best 93 from Marco Jansen, efforts that transformed a shaky start into a formidable first-innings total.
By stumps, India were 9 without loss, still staring at a daunting 480-run deficit and relying heavily on their openers to set the tone on Monday’s resumption.
A Historic First for Guwahati
The match marked the first-ever Test hosted at the picturesque Barsapara Cricket Stadium, where a slow, unresponsive surface offered little relief for India’s spin-driven attack. Despite early breakthroughs, India struggled to maintain pressure as South Africa’s lower-order batters flipped the script with calmness, grit, and aggressive intent.
South Africa’s top order had failing starts throughout the innings, but the visitors’ resilience arrived from an unexpected source: their lower middle and lower order.
South Africa’s Charge: How the Innings Was Transformed
Muthusamy Anchors the Revival
Walking in at No. 7, Senuran Muthusamy produced the most important innings of his young Test career. His unbeaten posture, timing, and decision-making were the glue around which South Africa rebuilt.
He played with the poise of a seasoned top-order batter, stroking 10 fours and two cleanly struck sixes on his way to a composed 109. His partnership with Kyle Verreynne (45) steadied the innings after a tense first hour, and they carried South Africa safely through an entire wicketless morning session.
The defining moment of his innings came when an lbw decision threatened to break his rhythm. On 48, Muthusamy swept at a Ravindra Jadeja delivery and was given out. His review showed the faintest glove touch before hitting the pad—saving his innings, and arguably altering the direction of the match.
He soon raised his third Test fifty and later reached three figures with a neat single off Mohammed Siraj, taking a moment to acknowledge the roaring Guwahati crowd with helmet raised.
Jansen Injects Firepower
If Muthusamy laid the foundation, Marco Jansen provided the fireworks. Batting at No. 9, the towering left-hander unleashed a punishing assault that left India’s bowlers visibly fatigued. His run-a-ball 93 included seven massive sixes, several of which sailed deep into the stands as he repeatedly forced tactical changes in the field.
Their 97-run partnership not only lifted South Africa past the psychological mark of 400 but also flattened India’s attack, which had entered Day 2 expecting quick breakthroughs against the tail.
Jansen’s dream of a maiden Test hundred ended when he dragged a Kuldeep Yadav delivery onto his stumps. He stood motionless, staring at the shattered timbers—knowing how close he had come to history.
Indian Bowlers Labor for Openings
India’s spin trio Jadeja, Kuldeep, and the promising support from the pacers—tried everything from tight lines to attacking fields, but the sluggish pitch offered minimal deviation. Jadeja did provide the breakthrough by outsmarting Verreynne, drawing him out of the crease with a quicker, wider ball to break the 88-run stand.
Kuldeep eventually reaped rewards with a four-wicket haul (4–115), but the damage had been done long before he wrapped up the innings.
Expert Voices & Player Reactions
Speaking after his innings, Muthusamy said the milestone felt surreal:
“Playing in front of a packed stadium and reaching this hundred is something I’ll always cherish. I’m just grateful I could put up valuable runs when the team needed them most.”
He also heaped praise on Jansen:
“Watching him from the other end was unbelievable. The power, the clean striking—it was like having the best view in the stadium.”
His comments captured the mood in the South African dressing room: confidence, satisfaction, and a belief that the match is firmly within their grip.
India’s Uphill Climb Begins
With bad light halting play early, India will resume Day 3 at 9/0, still 480 behind. A lot now rides on Yashasvi Jaiswal (7*) and KL Rahul (2*), who will be expected to begin the long process of chipping away at an enormous total.
On a surface slowing further by the hour, India face a mental and tactical battle both to avoid a follow-on and to prevent the match from slipping out of reach.
Impact & What Comes Next
South Africa’s mammoth first-innings score places them in pole position not only to control the match tempo but potentially to dictate terms for the remainder of the Test. For India, a disciplined, long-haul batting effort is the only path back into contention.
If the pitch deteriorates further, batting last could become an additional challenge making India’s Day 3 performance crucial to the match’s outcome.
A Day That Belonged to South Africa
On a historic day for Guwahati cricket, it was South Africa’s lower order that stole the spotlight. Muthusamy’s maiden Test hundred and Jansen’s thunderous 93 didn’t just build a massive total they reshaped the narrative of the series finale.
If India hope to keep the Test alive, the real contest begins when the sun rises on Day 3.