Senuran Muthusamy struck his first Test century on Sunday as South Africa built a dominant total of 489 all out against India on day two of the second Test in Guwahati.
The left hander made 109 and shared a 97 run eighth wicket stand with Marco Jansen, whose scintillating 93 from 91 balls kept South Africa in control at India’s newest Test venue. Jansen hit six fours and seven sixes before he dragged a delivery from Kuldeep Yadav on to his stumps, ending the innings after 151.1 overs.
India reached nine without loss in 6.1 overs before bad light brought an early close. Yashasvi Jaiswal, on seven, and KL Rahul, on two, will resume on Monday with the hosts trailing by 480 runs on a pitch that continues to play true.
Jansen, standing 6ft 8in (2.03m), frustrated India’s attack as he batted with numbers nine and ten, moving past his previous Test best of 84 not out. His seven sixes equalled the record for the most in a Test innings against India, matching Shahid Afridi’s tally from 2006.
Muthusamy reached his hundred from 192 balls off Mohammed Siraj, celebrating with a raised bat and a punch of the air as the crowd and dressing room rose to applaud. He fell soon after the second interval, but Jansen continued to push the scoring, supported by Simon Harmer, who made five, and Keshav Maharaj, unbeaten on 12.
Ravindra Jadeja broke a wicketless morning session when he ended an 88 run partnership by stumping Kyle Verreynne for 45, with Rishabh Pant completing the dismissal. Kuldeep finished with four wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj and Jadeja took two apiece.
South Africa, who won the toss and chose to bat on Saturday, are chasing their first Test series win in India for 25 years after winning the opening match. Earlier in the day, Muthusamy and Verreynne played patiently, scoring just 28 runs in the first hour. Muthusamy survived on 48 after Jadeja had him given out lbw, but a review showed a faint deviation as the ball brushed his glove, overturning the decision.
