South Africa's lower order put up a splendid show on Day 2 of the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, helping them put on a mammoth total on the board. Following Senuran Muthusamy's century and Kyle Verreynne's gritty 45, Marco Jansen's record-breaking whirlwind knock took the Proteas to a big total of 489.
Quiet but frustrating first session
Starting at an overnight score of 247/6, Muthusamy and Verreynne frustrated Indian bowlers. Muthusamy reached his fifty from 120 balls. 69 runs were scored in the first session as South Africa looked to defend. After the tea break, Ravindra Jadeja got the breakthrough by getting Verreynne stumped. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 45 runs from 122 balls, featuring five fours. Muthusamy and Verreynne shared an 88-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Muthusamy’s maiden Test ton
The scoring rate went up as Jansen arrived at the crease. His no-look sixes went deep into the stands. Muthusamy was not afraid to take the aerial route either. The onslaught continued and Muthusamy got to his maiden Test century from 192 deliveries. He became second South Africa no.7 batter to score a Test ton in India. In the next over, Jansen got to his fifty from 52 balls. South Africa were 428/7 at the lunch break.
Jansen’s mayhem amidst wickets
In Mohammed Siraj's first over of the third session, Muthusamy went for the pull shot but found Yashasvi Jaiswal at fine leg. He scored 109 runs from 206 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and two sixes. While Simon Harmer tried to survive, Jansen whacked Jadeja for two sixes in an over. The brutal onslaught continued and Jansen broke the record for most sixes by a no.9 batter in Tests (six sixes by Zimbabwe's Andy Blignaut and New Zealand's Tim Southee). Jasprit Bumrah joined the party and knocked over Harmer for a single-digit score.
Jansen misses maiden Test ton
Keshav Maharaj walked out to bat at no.11 and provided support to Jansen. In the end, it was Kuldeep who prevented Jansen from scoring his maiden Test century. He got bowled out the wrist spinner for a 91-ball 93, laced with six fours and seven sixes. South Africa posted 489 from 151.1 overs. Maharaj remained unbeaten for 12 off 31 deliveries.