On Day 3 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, South Africa didn’t just look like they were in control—they looked like they were rewriting history. Senuran Muthusamy, the unheralded all-rounder once written off as a fringe player, smashed his maiden Test century (109 off 206 balls) to anchor a commanding 489-run first innings. Now, with India reeling at 122/7 and trailing by 367 runs, the Proteas stand on the brink of their first Test series win in India since 1999/2000. And it’s not just luck. It’s execution. It’s grit. It’s a team that refused to be intimidated by home advantage.
The Century That Changed Everything
Muthusamy’s knock wasn’t flashy, but it was flawless under pressure. After early wickets from India’s pace attack, South Africa’s middle order was in disarray. Enter Muthusamy. With the score at 154/4, he steadied the ship. His 109 came with 10 boundaries and two towering sixes, the kind of innings that turns doubters into believers. He didn’t just score runs—he absorbed pressure, rotated strike, and punished loose deliveries. His partnership with Marco Jansen (93 off 91 balls, seven sixes) was the backbone of the innings. Jansen, who looked like he might join him in three figures, fell just seven runs short. That’s how close South Africa came to a 500-plus total.
It wasn’t just Muthusamy. The top order, including Aiden Markram (30+), Temba Bavuma (40+), and Kyle Verreynne (40+), laid the foundation. Even Tristan Stubbs chipped in with a gritty 40. For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the only bright spot with 4/115, but the rest of the attack—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja—were hounded. The pitch, once thought to favor pace, had turned into a spinner’s paradise by lunch on Day 3.
Spin Meets Collapse: Maharaj and Harmer Tear Through India
When South Africa took the field on Day 3, they didn’t just want to defend a lead—they wanted to crush it. And they did. The opening partnership of KL Rahul (22) and Yashasvi Jaiswal looked solid at 65/0. Then came Keshav Athmanand Maharaj. In the 22nd over, he bowled a perfect slower ball outside off, one that turned sharply and bounced higher than expected. Rahul, stepping out to defend, got a thin edge. Aiden Markram took a low, sharp catch at first slip. India’s first wicket was the start of a collapse.
By the first session’s end, India was 102/4. Simon Harmer, the veteran off-spinner, picked up two wickets for 39 in 11 overs, exploiting turn and variable bounce. Marco Jansen added a crucial scalp with a short-pitched delivery that reared up and took the glove of Sai Sudharsan. The pitch, already wearing, was turning square. India’s top order, so dominant in recent home Tests, looked utterly lost.
Even Rishabh Pant, standing in as captain with Rohit Sharma sidelined, couldn’t stop the rot. He was 6 not out when play ended, but with the tail exposed and South Africa’s spinners itching to bowl again, his job isn’t just to score—it’s to survive. And even that feels like a stretch.
25 Years of Waiting: Why This Series Matters
South Africa hasn’t won a Test series in India since Shaun Pollock led them to a 2-0 win in 1999/2000. That’s 25 years. Twenty-five years of failed attempts, of last-over heartbreaks, of batting collapses on turning tracks. This team, led by Temba Bavuma, has changed the narrative. They’ve played smart, disciplined cricket. They’ve trusted their spinners. They’ve backed their middle order. And now, they’re 90 minutes away from making history.
For India, this is a disaster in the making. After being whitewashed 0-3 by New Zealand last year, the pressure was already mounting. Now, with the series on the line and their spinners—Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav—struggling to contain the Proteas, the cracks are widening. The home crowd in Guwahati, once roaring, is now silent. The questions are starting: Is this the end of India’s dominance on home soil? Has the era of invincibility truly passed?
What Comes Next? Day 4 and Beyond
Day 4 will be about survival for India. They need to bat out 70 overs just to avoid an innings defeat. But with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer still in the attack, and Marco Jansen ready to unleash his pace again, that feels like a tall order. If South Africa can bowl India out for under 200, they’ll win the series by an innings—and etch their names into cricket history.
Even if India survives, the damage is done. The series is lost. The momentum is gone. And South Africa? They’ve proven they can win anywhere. In Australia. In England. And now, against all odds, in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is South Africa’s potential series win in India?
A 2-0 series win would be South Africa’s first in India since 1999/2000—ending a 25-year drought. Only three visiting teams have won a Test series in India since 2010, and South Africa would become the first since Australia in 2019. This would validate their status as a truly global Test side, capable of winning in any condition.
Why has South Africa’s spin attack been so effective?
The Guwahati pitch has deteriorated rapidly, offering turn and uneven bounce. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer have exploited this perfectly, mixing flight, drift, and variation. India’s batsmen, used to more predictable conditions, have struggled to read the spin, leading to frequent edges and false shots.
What role did Senuran Muthusamy play beyond his century?
Muthusamy’s century wasn’t just about runs—it was about time. He batted for over four hours, absorbing pressure and allowing Jansen and others to play aggressively. His presence stabilized the innings after early losses, and his all-round capability (he’s a handy medium-pacer) gives South Africa flexibility. He’s no longer a fringe player; he’s a cornerstone.
How does this series impact the ICC World Test Championship?
A series win would give South Africa 12 crucial points in the 2025-2027 cycle, boosting their ranking. India, already struggling after the New Zealand whitewash, could fall further behind in the standings. This match isn’t just about pride—it’s about direct qualification implications for the WTC Final in 2027.
Who are the key players to watch on Day 4?
For India, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar must bat deep. For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj will look to wrap up the tail, while Marco Jansen could be the x-factor with the new ball. If Jansen gets early wickets, the match could end before tea.
Has any team won a Test series in India after losing the opener?
Yes, but rarely. Australia won 2-1 in 2004/05 after losing the first Test. England did it in 2012, winning 2-1 after losing in Delhi. But those were high-scoring, back-and-forth series. This one is different: South Africa has dominated both matches, and India has looked outclassed. A comeback here would be unprecedented under these circumstances.
