South Africa produced a stunning lower-order batting display on Day 2 of the second Test against India at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, posting a commanding total of 489 after resuming at 247/6 overnight. The visitors completely dominated the day's proceedings, leaving the Indian bowling attack exhausted and frustrated.
Muthusamy's Maiden Century Anchors Proteas
Senuran Muthusamy showcased remarkable temperament and maturity during his marathon innings, scoring his maiden Test century with a composed 109 off 206 deliveries. The all-rounder, fresh from his match-winning 89 not out in Rawalpindi, hit 10 boundaries and two sixes in his career-defining knock.
Muthusamy's journey to this moment has been particularly challenging. Reflecting on his comeback, he said, "My journey's been unique. Debuting in India in 2019, then going back into the wilderness, it was uncertain if I'd play Test cricket again, let alone in India." His ancestors hail from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, adding emotional significance to his performance on Indian soil.
Jansen's Power-Hitting Demolishes Indian Bowlers
While Muthusamy provided the stability, Marco Jansen unleashed pure aggression with his blistering 93 off just 91 balls. The tall left-hander smashed seven massive sixes - the most by any overseas batter in India - surpassing legends like Viv Richards and Matthew Hayden.
Jansen's assault was particularly brutal against India's spinners. He hit four sixes off Ravindra Jadeja, two against Kuldeep Yadav, and one against Mohammed Siraj. His seven sixes equaled the joint-highest tally for a lower-order batter in India, completely shifting the momentum in South Africa's favor.
Indian Bowling Struggles Exposed
The Indian bowling unit had a day to forget as they conceded 243 runs from the last four wickets. Kuldeep Yadav finished with four wickets but struggled to find his rhythm on a pitch he described as a "proper road." The left-arm wrist spinner bowled 29.1 overs across two days, admitting the challenges posed by the batting-friendly conditions.
India's finger spinners had a particularly disappointing day. Ravindra Jadeja returned figures of 2/94 while Washington Sundar went wicketless, conceding 58 runs. Both bowlers failed to extract meaningful turn or bounce from the surface, raising questions about their ability to adapt from white-ball to Test cricket.
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn criticized India's bowling approach, stating they stuck with Plan A for too long and were too defensive with their field placements. "They stuck with Plan A for too long and didn't really switch to Plan B or C," Steyn commented during his analysis.
Partnerships That Changed the Game
The match turned decisively during two crucial partnerships. Muthusamy first added 88 runs for the seventh wicket with Kyle Verreynne, stabilizing the innings after early setbacks. He then forged another 97-run stand with Jansen that completely demoralized the Indian attack.
Muthusamy praised his partners, saying "Kyle Verreynne batted brilliantly against the new ball, and Marco Jansen was sublime when he came in. His T20 experience, power, and timing were a treat to watch."
India's Uphill Battle Ahead
At stumps on Day 2, India reached 9/0 in 6.1 overs, with openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the crease. The hosts still trail by 480 runs and face a monumental task to save the Test and keep the series alive.
Former India captain Anil Kumble emphasized the importance of batting through the next two days. "If India can bat for the next two days, they will be in a stronger position," he said, noting that while the pitch would remain good for batting, natural wear and tear could bring spinners into play as the match progresses.
With three days remaining and South Africa firmly in control, India needs their batters to produce a monumental response to counter the visitors' dominance and prevent a second consecutive home series defeat.
