{India v South Africa: Hosts face battle to avoid another home defeat}
South Africa Puts india Under Pressure in Second test
Table of Contents
– Updated as of 2023/11/23 21:26:49
Proteas Build Commanding First Innings Total
India face a meaningful challenge to avoid another home Test series defeat after South Africa posted a formidable 489 in their first innings on day two of the second Test in Guwahati. This comes after South Africa already leads the two-match series 1-0.
Senuran Muthusamy anchored the South African innings with his maiden Test century,while Marco Jansen contributed a career-best 93. The lower order’s resilience frustrated the Indian team, extending their time in the field.
Muthusamy and Jansen Drive South Africa’s Score
Resuming at 25 not out, Muthusamy formed crucial partnerships – 88 runs with Verreynne and 97 with Jansen - before being dismissed for 109 off 206 balls. Jansen, meanwhile, accelerated the scoring with a dynamic 91-ball knock that included seven sixes.
Historically, teams scoring as highly as South Africa in the first innings of a Test match in India have a strong record of avoiding defeat. No team has ever lost a Test in India after posting such a large first-innings total.
India’s Reply Stalled by Bad Light
India’s response began poorly, reaching 9 runs without loss after just 6.1 overs before umpires suspended play due to bad light. This interruption limited India’s chance to build momentum.
Recent Home Series Record Under Scrutiny
India had maintained a 12-year unbeaten streak in home test series until a 3-0 defeat against New Zealand in 2022. while they rebounded with a 2-0 victory over the West Indies in October 2023, a loss in this current series would mark a second home series defeat in just over a year.