Muthusamy’s maiden century and Jansen’s 93 propel South Africa to 489 against India in Guwahati

When Senuran Muthusamy stepped off the field after scoring his maiden Test century, the crowd at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati rose as one—not just for the runs, but for the story behind them. It was 10:37 AM UTC on Sunday, November 23, 2025, and South Africa had just posted 489 all out against India on Day 2 of the second Test. The innings, built on grit, grace, and quiet brilliance, wasn’t just about numbers. It was about identity, legacy, and the quiet power of discipline.

A century born of discipline, not drama

Muthusamy, a left-handed batter and left-arm spinner of Indian heritage, began the day on 25. By lunch, he was on 56. No fireworks. No showboating. Just a textbook lesson in concentration. He faced 165 minutes for his first 50, and when he reached it, the commentary team noted he’d "hardly put a foot wrong." One edge to the keeper prompted a review—but the ball had brushed his glove, not the bat. He survived. He kept going.

His second 50 came in just 71 balls. That’s when the acceleration began. A perfectly timed sweep through midwicket. A brutal hook over fine leg. A four past point, "waited on it and has found the gap," as one commentator put it. He reached 98 with a boundary, and then, with a single to square leg, he brought up his century. The crowd erupted. The Indian bowlers looked exhausted. His innings ended at 109, top-edging a sweep to fine leg, where the ball landed straight into the gloves of the fielder. He walked off to a standing ovation.

Jansen’s dazzling 93 and the all-rounder synergy

While Muthusamy anchored the innings, Marco Jansen lit it up. His 93—career-best in Test cricket—was pure, unadulterated aggression. He carved boundaries through the off side, punished loose deliveries with brutal effect, and looked every bit the modern all-rounder. For a while, it seemed he might reach a century of his own. But as he neared triple figures, he slowed, conserving energy, knowing the tail needed support. He partnered with Keshav Maharaj, another left-arm spinner of Indian descent, to add 58 quick runs after Muthusamy’s dismissal. The runs came thick and fast. South Africa added 58 in just 14 overs after the eighth wicket fell.

The synergy between Muthusamy and Maharaj isn’t coincidental. Both are sons of Indian families raised in South Africa. Both carry cultural roots that run deep—Muthusamy visits temples regularly; Maharaj, too, speaks of his faith shaping his calm under pressure. Together, they’re dismantling the myth that India’s home conditions are impenetrable. "They’re not just playing cricket," says former teammate Imraan Khan. "They’re rewriting what it means to be South African cricketers in India."

India’s mountain to climb

By stumps, India had reached 9 for no loss. But make no mistake: this is a mountain, not a hill. South Africa’s 489 is their highest total in India since 2010. The last time they won a Test in India was in 2015. They’ve now won the first two Tests of this series, with the second match looming as a potential series-clincher. India, still reeling from a 30-run loss in Kolkata, now face the reality that their batting, which looked solid in the first Test, has cracked under pressure. The spin duo of Harmer and Maharaj—both of whom bowled 40-plus overs on Day 2—will be licking their lips.

According to SuperSport’s Neil Manthorp, "Muthusamy’s maiden Test century and a dazzling, career-best 93 from Marco Jansen put South Africa in complete control." And control is exactly what they’ve seized. India’s spinners, who usually dominate on these pitches, were taken apart by Muthusamy’s footwork and Jansen’s timing. The pitch, though slow, offered enough turn for the bowlers to be dangerous—but not enough to stop two batters who knew how to play it.

A legacy beyond the boundary

Muthusamy’s journey is as compelling as his innings. Born in Durban, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to keep him in cricket gear, he lost his father at 11. A cricket fanatic, the elder Muthusamy had once dreamed of playing for India before settling in South Africa. His son carries that legacy quietly—yoga every morning, temple visits on match days, and a degree in social science from the University of KwaZulu Natal, specializing in media and marketing. "He would have made something of his life even if cricket didn’t work out," says The Indian Express. And yet, here he is: the man who dismissed Virat Kohli on his Test debut in 2019, and now, the man who silenced a packed Indian stadium with a century built on patience, not power.

This isn’t just about a match. It’s about representation. It’s about what it means to be a South African of Indian descent playing in India—and winning. Muthusamy doesn’t need to prove his loyalty. He’s already shown it. In his technique. In his temperament. In his tears after the century.

What’s next?

India must bat out Day 3 to avoid the follow-on. But even if they survive, they’ll need to bat for three days to win. South Africa’s lead is too big. Their bowlers are too sharp. And their batters? They’re just getting started.