South Africa Dominates Second Test Against India in Guwahati

The second Test match between India and South Africa in Guwahati has seen South Africa take a commanding lead, finishing their first innings at 489 runs. Key contributions from Senuran Muthusamy, who scored 109, and Marco Jansen, with 93 runs, have put India under pressure. As the match progresses, India must respond effectively to avoid losing the series. With South Africa aiming for their first Test series win in India in 25 years, the stakes are high for both teams. Will India find a way to bounce back?

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 23, 2025, 21:41 IST

South Africa Takes Control in Second Test

The second Test match between India and South Africa at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati has reached a crucial juncture, with the second day firmly in favor of the South African team. Reports indicate that South Africa's first innings concluded at 489 runs, putting significant pressure on India. The Indian team is aiming to win this Test to keep the series alive, while South Africa seeks to secure their first Test series victory in India in 25 years.

On the first day, Indian bowlers attempted to maintain control by taking wickets at regular intervals. However, on the second day, South Africa strengthened their grip on the match. Notably, the long partnership between Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen posed the biggest challenge for India. Muthusamy played a patient innings, scoring an impressive 109 runs, marking his first Test century. Similarly, Jansen contributed significantly with a score of 93 runs, helping the team reach a formidable total.

The current situation shows that while India started the morning with a tight bowling spell, they struggled to take wickets due to a lack of assistance from the pitch. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj bowled several maiden overs, yet Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne managed to build their partnership without conceding runs. Ravindra Jadeja provided some relief by dismissing Verreynne for 45 runs, but the run rate remained steady.

It is worth noting that the partnership between Jansen and Muthusamy, which exceeded 50 runs, pushed Indian bowlers onto the back foot, paving the way for South Africa to surpass the 400-run mark. Jansen continued to build on his innings, consistently troubling the Indian bowlers.

Kuldeep Yadav emerged as India's most successful bowler, claiming three wickets in the first innings. Siraj, Bumrah, and Jadeja also took crucial wickets, but South Africa's lower order thwarted all of India's plans. Muthusamy and Jansen not only preserved their wickets but also showed no hesitation in playing aggressive shots when opportunities arose.

India now faces the challenge of starting their first innings strongly while chasing a substantial score, as the outcome of this match will determine the series result, increasing the pressure on the team. Conversely, South Africa is brimming with confidence, and India will need to display precise batting to mount a comeback in the match.