South Africa took firm control of the four-day Test match against India A in Guwahati, thanks to outstanding batting performances from Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen on Saturday. The visitors finished the second day with a commanding position, putting pressure on the Indian bowling attack.
Muthusamy's Maiden First-Class Century
Senuran Muthusamy played a career-defining innings, scoring his maiden first-class century against India A. The left-handed batter displayed remarkable patience and technique, facing 257 deliveries for his 119 runs. His innings included 13 boundaries and 2 sixes, showcasing his ability to build an innings steadily while capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Muthusamy's partnership with Marco Jansen proved to be the turning point of the day. The duo batted with determination and skill, frustrating the Indian bowlers who struggled to break through on a pitch that offered assistance but required disciplined bowling.
Jansen's Aggressive 93 Runs
Marco Jansen played a blistering innings of 93 runs from just 133 balls, missing what would have been a well-deserved century by just seven runs. The all-rounder smashed 10 fours and 3 sixes during his aggressive knock, putting the Indian bowling attack under constant pressure.
Jansen's ability to score quickly while maintaining control impressed cricket analysts. His partnership with Muthusamy added crucial runs to South Africa's total, taking the game away from India A's grasp as the day progressed.
Team Performance and Match Situation
South Africa ended the day at 381/6 in 108 overs, having batted through the entire second day without losing too many wickets. The team's resilience was evident as they built on their overnight score of 129/2, adding 252 runs during the day's play while losing only four wickets.
The Indian bowling attack, led by Arshdeep Singh who took 2/63, tried various strategies to break the partnerships but found limited success. The pitch at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati offered some assistance to the bowlers, but the South African batters showed excellent application and technique to dominate the proceedings.
With only two days remaining in the match, South Africa now holds a significant advantage. Their strong batting performance has put them in a position where they can push for a victory, while India A will need early breakthroughs on the third day to stage a comeback in this important four-day encounter.
