India Struggle for Breakthrough as Muthusamy-Verreynne Add 70; South Africa 316/6

The first session of the second day of the second Test match being played between India and South Africa at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati has come to an end. All-rounders Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne made the Indian bowlers cry in this session and did not let a single wicket fall. South Africa scored 316 runs for the loss of six wickets at the end of the second session. Muthusamy is batting on 56 off 131 balls, and Kyle Verreynne is batting on 38 off 94 balls. The two have put on a 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Indian captain Rishabh Pant opened the attack with the new ball early in the second day. Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah created pressure in the early overs, but Muthusamy and Verreynne batted with restraint and continued to score runs. The partnership included singles and doubles, along with some fours, as South Africa's score rose from 247 to 316. Kuldeep again bowled economically, but went wicketless.

This session was positive for South Africa, as the pitch is becoming more comfortable for the batsmen. The next session will be crucial for India, where they will try to break this partnership. The more South Africa bats from here, the more India's difficulties will increase. Due to the pressure of scoring on one hand and the cracking of the pitch on the other, the pitch is gradually becoming more spin-friendly.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. By stumps on the first day, the team had scored 247 runs for the loss of six wickets in 81.5 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets for India. Opening pair Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton played well against the swing of the Indian fast bowlers in the first hour and put on a 50-run partnership. Markram was also given a life on 4 runs. However, just before lunch, Jasprit Bumrah gave India their first breakthrough by bowling Markram on the last ball of the morning session.

After tea, Kuldeep Yadav immediately struck again by dismissing Ryan Rickelton. Tristan Stubbs, promoted to number 3, along with captain Temba Bavuma, put on a brilliant 84-run partnership for the third wicket. However, Bavuma (44) was caught at mid-on by Jadeja. Shortly after, Set Stubbs also fell to Kuldeep's spin after scoring 49 runs. Wiaan Mulder also did not last long and became Kuldeep's third victim.

Tony Di Zorzi and Senuran Muthusamy then steadied the innings. The two added useful runs for the sixth wicket, but in the last over of the day, Di Zorzi (28) was caught outside-edging a delivery from Mohammed Siraj, giving India their fourth wicket of the day. The Indian bowlers made a brilliant comeback in the final session. Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful, taking three wickets, while Bumrah, Siraj, and Jadeja took one wicket each.