India vs South Africa: Muthusamy and Verreynne Steady South Africa at Tea on Day 2
South Africa held their ground against India as Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne guided the visitors to 316 for six at tea on Day 2 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The pair put together a calm and composed stand, halting India’s momentum and delivering the only wicketless session of the series so far.
Muthusamy remained unbeaten on 56, showcasing patience and control at the crease, while Verreynne supported him steadily with 38 not out, extending their unbroken partnership to 70 runs. The duo frustrated India’s bowlers by absorbing pressure, defending confidently, and avoiding risky stroke play.
Earlier in the innings, South Africa had struggled against India’s relentless attack, losing wickets in clusters. However, Muthusamy’s measured approach, supported by Verreynne’s disciplined technique, shifted the tone of the match. Their focus on placement, timing, and rotating strike allowed South Africa to rebuild and strengthen their hold on the contest.
Muthusamy enjoyed a few fortunate moments, surviving a close outside edge that narrowly missed KL Rahul in slip off Jasprit Bumrah, and overturning an lbw call against Ravindra Jadeja through technology. He also escaped another dismissal scare on 48 before reaching his third Test fifty — the first half-century of the innings.
India’s bowlers worked tirelessly throughout the session. Kuldeep Yadav, the most successful bowler so far, returned figures of 3 for 72, while Jasprit Bumrah claimed 1 for 43, but neither could break through the resilient stand before tea. Attempts to unsettle the pair with pace variations, spin rotations, and field adjustments yielded no success.
South Africa began the day at 247 for six and crossed 250 with a confident pull shot from Verreynne off Mohammed Siraj. Boundaries off Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja followed, but the innings remained anchored in patience rather than aggression.
With South Africa stabilising and runs accumulating steadily, the match remains finely balanced heading into the final session of the day.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 316/6 in 111 overs (Senuran Muthusamy 56*, Kyle Verreynne 38*; Kuldeep Yadav 3/72, Jasprit Bumrah 1/43) vs India