India vs South Africa 2nd Test Day 1: Proteas batter India as Muthusamy’s ton and Jansen’s surge lift SA to 428/7

The second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati has swung decisively in favour of the tourists as South Africa reached 428/7 at lunch on Day 2 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

After resuming on 247/6 overnight, South Africa’s lower middle‐order took charge while India’s bowlers floundered. The pivotal figure was left-hander Senuran Muthusamy, who compiled a composed 107 (off ~203 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes)* — his maiden Test century — to anchor the innings.

Backing him superbly was the tall all‐rounder Marco Jansen, who chanced his arm and cracked a brisk 51*, including multiple sixes, to steer South Africa past the 400 mark.

India’s early hopes of a breakthrough quickly faded. The morning session on Day 2 yielded no wickets for the hosts, as Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne (who made 45) laid a calm yet purposeful foundation, adding 70 runs for the seventh wicket.

Come the middle session, South Africa shifted gears. Jansen unleashed his big shots, targeting the spinners and sending deliveries over the ropes. Meanwhile, Muthusamy mixed caution with attack — a deft reverse sweep here, a huge six there — and India simply couldn’t muster a response.

From India’s perspective, the bowling unit lacked penetration. Veterans like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj offered control but not the breakthroughs India desperately needed.

The field placings were tight, the tactics sound, yet the execution slipped. The pitch, described as offering less assistance than expected, allowed the Proteas’ batters to settle and grow in confidence.

South Africa’s dominance is startling because they reached the 400-plus milestone at a pace, and from a position of six down, they have flipped the script.

India now appears on the back foot, forced into defensive mode in a Test they were hoping to level. If the visitors continue at this rate, they’ll carry a commanding first‐innings total into the remainder of the match, shifting pressure squarely onto the hosts.

In a nutshell, Muthusamy’s landmark hundred and Jansen’s bold acceleration have powered South Africa to a dominant position in Guwahati.

India’s bowlers have been kept at bay, and their batters will now have to respond under mounting pressure. The momentum has firmly swung away from the hosts.