India faces a challenging road ahead as they attempt to prevent another home Test series loss. On day two of the second Test in Guwahati, South Africa put up an impressive total of 489 runs, showcasing their batting depth. Senuran Muthusamy achieved his first Test century, while fellow all-rounder Marco Jansen contributed a career-best 93, frustrating the Indian bowling attack with significant partnerships in the lower order.
Starting the day at 25 not out, Muthusamy formed crucial partnerships, adding 88 runs with Kyle Verreynne and 97 runs with Jansen before being dismissed for 109 runs off 206 balls. Meanwhile, Jansen’s aggressive approach was evident as he struck seven sixes during his rapid 91-ball innings.
Historically, no team has managed to score as many runs in their first innings of a Test match in India and subsequently lost the match, placing India in a precarious situation. Compounding their frustrations, the umpires took the players off the field due to bad light after just 6.1 overs of India’s response, leaving them at 9 without loss.
The stakes are high for India, who enjoyed a long stretch of success in home Test series until their recent 3-0 defeat to New Zealand last year. Although they managed to bounce back with a 2-0 victory over the West Indies in October, failing to reverse this current Test situation would lead to a second home series defeat in just over a year.
This pivotal match underscores the resilience and competitiveness within international cricket, as India aims to turn the tide in their favor during the remainder of the series.