On the second day of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Senuran Muthusamy didn’t just make history—he rewrote the script. Batting at number seven, the South African middle-order batsman smashed his maiden Test century (109 runs) in front of a roaring, full-house crowd, while all-rounder Marco Jansen unleashed a blistering 93, including a record-tying seven sixes. By stumps, South Africa had posted 489, leaving India reeling at 9/0 and staring down a 480-run deficit. The South Africa tour of India 2025 has shifted irrevocably in the visitors’ favor.
Building the Foundation: Muthusamy’s Patience Pays Off
Muthusamy’s innings wasn’t about fireworks—it was about friction. For 165 minutes, he anchored the innings like a man who knew the scoreboard mattered more than ego. He didn’t rush. He didn’t gamble. He waited. And when the opportunity came, he pounced. A reverse sweep between midwicket and fine leg, a flick off the hips, a crisp cover drive—each shot was deliberate. He reached 98 with just one boundary in his final 30 balls. Then, suddenly, he exploded: two fours in two balls, the second a rasping drive through extra cover. The crowd roared. The scoreboard blinked: 100. He raised his bat. The moment was quiet, but the impact? Deafening. He was dismissed soon after, top-edging a delivery from Kuldeep Yadav, caught at slip. But by then, the damage was done. Muthusamy became the third South African to score a Test century from position seven or lower against India, joining Quinton de Kock (111 in Visakhapatnam, 2019) and AB de Villiers (105 in Johannesburg, 2010). That’s elite company.Jansen’s Six-Hitting Masterclass
Then came Jansen. The bowler who usually opens the attack with the new ball, now stood at the crease with a hammer in his hands. Seven sixes. Seven. He didn’t just clear the ropes—he obliterated them. The stadium, built in 2017 and still finding its footing as an international venue, shook with every one. He tied Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi for the most sixes in a single Test innings against India. No one else in history has done that. Not even Virat Kohli or Babar Azam in their prime. Jansen didn’t just hit sixes—he made them look easy. A pull over deep square leg. A lofted straight drive off a yorker. A ramp shot over the keeper’s head. He was playing like a man who’d been waiting years for this moment. "I had the best seat in the house," Muthusamy said afterward, grinning. "That was special. Special ball-striking. It was fantastic from him." And it wasn’t just him. The entire South African top order—Verreynne, Klaasen, Rabada—chipped in. No one dominated. Everyone contributed. That’s how you build a total that crushes morale.India’s Nightmare: 480 Runs Behind and a Pitch That’s Still Green
India’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav, bowled 151 overs—more than 25 full sessions—to get 10 wickets. That’s exhaustion dressed as effort. And for what? A total that feels like a museum piece now: 489. By stumps, India had faced just 2.4 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 7 not out. KL Rahul, 2 not out. No momentum. No rhythm. Just survival. The pitch, initially expected to offer turn, has stayed surprisingly true. No dew. No grass. Just a hard, fast surface that rewards timing over technique. South Africa’s batters thrived. India’s? They looked tentative, unsure whether to attack or defend. And with the sun setting over Assam’s hills, the question isn’t whether India can save the match—it’s whether they can even compete.
What’s Next? The Pressure Shifts
Day three will be a battle of wills. India must bat for two full sessions just to avoid following on. Then, they’ll need to bat again—possibly for three more days—to have a chance. South Africa’s attack, led by Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, is fresh. They’ve been waiting for this moment since the first Test in Pune ended in a draw. Now, they smell blood. If India fails to post 300 in their second innings, the series could be over before the third Test even begins. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is already bracing for criticism. The Cricket South Africa (CSA) side? They’re riding a wave of confidence not seen since their 2017 series win in India.Historical Echoes and Modern Realities
This isn’t the first time South Africa has dominated in India. But it’s rare. In the last 20 years, only twice has a visiting team posted 450+ in the first innings and won the Test in India. Both times, the team had a top-order batter score a century and a lower-order all-rounder explode. Sound familiar? The Barsapara Cricket Stadium has hosted just 10 international matches. This is its first true statement. And it’s one made in bold letters: South Africa are not just here to compete. They’re here to conquer.Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a Test century from number seven or lower against India?
Only three South Africans have ever scored a Test century batting at number seven or lower against India: Senuran Muthusamy (109 in 2025), Quinton de Kock (111 in 2019), and AB de Villiers (105 in 2010). No other nation has more than one such instance in the last 30 years, making Muthusamy’s feat exceptionally rare and significant in the context of India’s strong home record.
Why is Marco Jansen’s 93 with seven sixes so historic?
Jansen tied Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi for the most sixes hit by any batter in a single Test innings against India. No other player—Indian or foreign—has ever hit seven sixes in a Test against India. His strike rate of 164.8 in that innings is the highest for any batter scoring over 90 in a Test against India since 2000, making it not just powerful, but statistically unprecedented.
What does this mean for the series outcome?
South Africa now leads the three-match series 1-0, and with a 480-run lead, they’re in the driver’s seat. If India fails to post 300+ in their second innings, South Africa can enforce the follow-on and win inside four days. A series win in India would be South Africa’s first since 2017—and only their third ever in 25 attempts.
How has the Barsapara Cricket Stadium changed since its debut?
Opened in 2017, the stadium in Guwahati had struggled to attract top-tier matches due to its remote location and inconsistent pitch behavior. But this Test—packed with 38,000 fans and a pitch that rewarded both bat and ball—has proven its potential. The ground staff’s work, particularly in maintaining a hard, fast surface, has been praised by players and analysts alike as a model for future venues in northeastern India.
What’s the psychological impact on India’s batting lineup?
India’s top order, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have been under scrutiny all series. After a 480-run deficit and a 2.4-over start, the pressure on KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal is immense. Historically, teams trailing by over 450 in India have only saved the match 3% of the time since 2000. For a team used to dominating at home, this is a brutal reality check.
Could this performance affect future selections for South Africa?
Absolutely. Muthusamy, once seen as a specialist spinner who batted lower, has now cemented his place as a genuine Test all-rounder. Jansen’s batting has elevated him from a pace option to a match-winner. Both could be moved up the order in future Tests. Meanwhile, South Africa’s selectors may now consider dropping a specialist batter to make room for another all-rounder like Wiaan Mulder, shifting their entire batting philosophy.
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