South Africa overcame an early setback on Day 2 of the second Test in Guwahati to post a commanding 489, riding on a superb century from Senuran Muthusamy and a near-miss hundred from Marco Jansen, who fell agonisingly short on 93.
Resuming at 247/6, South Africa were dealt a setback when wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, the overnight anchor, became the first dismissal of the morning. Having fought hard for his 45 off 122 balls and guiding the total to 334 at that stage, Verreynne fell to a sharp stumping that snapped a crucial partnership and handed India the breakthrough they had been searching for
But India’s relief was short-lived. Muthusamy and Jansen stitched together a monumental stand that completely shifted the momentum. Both batsmen adopted a calm, disciplined approach, refusing to be drawn into loose strokes while steadily building the innings. Muthusamy brought up his half-century and then continued in the same vein to reach a fluent century before lunch, guiding South Africa to 428/7 at the break.
At the other end, Jansen grew in assurance, raising a composed fifty before accelerating toward what looked like a maiden Test hundred. However, his dismissal for 93 — seven shy of the milestone — left him visibly frustrated despite playing one of the finest innings of his young career.
India’s bowlers kept plugging away, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the effort through a four-wicket haul, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with crucial strikes. But South Africa’s lower order held firm long enough to push the total to 489, giving the visitors a strong platform in the match.
With a massive first-innings total now staring at them, India’s batters face a stern examination as the Test moves into its defining stages.
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