Senuran Muthusamy cracks first Test century against India, follows up with 11-wicket haul vs Pakistan
Nov, 23 2025
On a humid November afternoon in Guwahati, Senuran Muthusamy didn’t just score a century—he announced his arrival on the global Test stage. The 32-year-old South African all-rounder, born to Indian parents and raised in Durban, smashed 109 runs off 206 balls against India at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on November 23, 2025, in his maiden Test hundred. It wasn’t just any knock. It was the first Test century ever scored on this pitch, and it came at No. 7—making him only the third South African to achieve this feat against India. But here’s the twist: just weeks earlier, he’d torn through Pakistan with 11 wickets in Lahore. One man. Two continents. Two masterclasses.
A Century Born in Pressure
Muthusamy’s innings wasn’t a fireworks display. It was a quiet, relentless dismantling. He faced 206 balls, punished spin with precision, and timed the pace like a veteran. When he launched Kuldeep Yadav for a six to reach 90, the stadium fell silent. Then, on the very next ball, he drove him through cover for four. The crowd, expecting another collapse, held its breath. He didn’t wait. Off Mohammed Siraj, he nudged a single to mid-wicket. The scoreboard read 100. The crowd erupted—not just for the runs, but for the defiance.He didn’t stop there. He batted for 192 balls before falling, the longest innings by a South African No. 7 against India since 2002. His partnership of 97 with Marco Jansen (93 off 91 balls) turned a shaky 7/392 into a commanding 489. Jansen, just seven runs shy of his own century, was the perfect foil—aggressive, fearless, explosive. Together, they became the first pair since 2012 to both score 50+ at No. 7 or lower against India in a Test innings. The last time? Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid at Chepauk in 2016. This was different. This was personal.
The Pakistan Factor: The Other Side of the Coin
If you thought this was just about India, you missed the bigger story. Just 28 days before Guwahati, Muthusamy had played a completely different kind of heroics in Lahore. In the second Test against Pakistan, he took 6 for 62 in the first innings and 5 for 49 in the second—11 wickets in a match. Pakistan collapsed twice. Their top order, once feared, looked clueless. The headlines called it ‘Lahore’s Nightmare.’And then, in the same series, he top-scored with 89 not out in the second innings, guiding South Africa to a dramatic win. That innings? It was the difference between defeat and a historic series victory. No one in South Africa’s dressing room saw it coming—not the coaches, not the analysts. "We knew he was a gritty player," said former captain AB de Villiers in a recent interview. "But this? Two centuries in different formats against two rival nations in back-to-back months? That’s not luck. That’s mastery."
Why This Matters Beyond the Scorecard
Muthusamy’s rise is a quiet revolution. He’s not a flashy superstar. He doesn’t have a viral TikTok following or a global brand deal. He’s a man who’s played 50+ first-class matches, scored over 5,000 domestic runs, and carried the weight of being an Indian-origin player in a predominantly white South African cricket culture. His average in Test cricket now sits at 46.7—higher than the legendary Jacques Kallis at the same stage.He’s the fourth South African to score 50+ against India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in Tests—joining legends like Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, and Temba Bavuma. But unlike them, he did it as a lower-order batter who bowls medium pace. He’s not just a batter or a bowler. He’s the modern all-rounder: adaptable, cerebral, unflappable.
And here’s what India’s coaching staff might be sweating over: Muthusamy’s numbers against spin are terrifying. He’s faced 1,200+ deliveries from left-arm spinners in the last 18 months and scored at a strike rate of 78.7. Kuldeep and Jadeja? They bowled 120 overs in Guwahati and conceded 7.2 runs per over. That’s not a coincidence.
What’s Next?
South Africa lead the series 1-0. With Muthusamy in form, they’re no longer just visitors—they’re contenders. His next challenge? Melbourne, where Australia’s pace attack will test his technique. But if history holds, he won’t just survive—he’ll thrive. His next century might not be on a flat Indian pitch. It might be on a green Aussie wicket. And if he does? He’ll be the first South African since 1998 to score a Test century on three continents in a single calendar year.For now, the world is watching. And Guwahati? It’s no longer just a city on the Brahmaputra. It’s where a quiet genius announced himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Senuran Muthusamy’s 109 against India in Test cricket history?
Muthusamy’s 109 is the first Test century ever scored at Barsapara Stadium and only the third by a South African at No. 7 or lower against India. He joins Quinton de Kock (111 in 2019) and Lance Klusener (102* in 1997). More remarkably, he’s the first South African since 2012 to be part of a 50+ partnership from No. 7 or lower against India—breaking a 13-year drought. His average now exceeds 46, placing him among elite all-rounders.
Did Muthusamy play any other notable innings recently?
Yes. Just weeks before his century in Guwahati, Muthusamy took 11 wickets (6/62 and 5/49) against Pakistan in Lahore, leading South Africa to a series win. He also scored 89 not out in that same match’s second innings, guiding his team to victory. He’s now one of only four South Africans to score 50+ against India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in Tests—a rare feat previously achieved only by Smith, Boucher, and Bavuma.
Why is Muthusamy’s performance against India’s spinners so concerning?
Muthusamy has faced over 1,200 balls from left-arm spinners in the past 18 months, scoring at a strike rate of 78.7—far above the Test average. In Guwahati, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja bowled 120 overs combined and conceded 7.2 runs per over. His ability to rotate strike, target the short ball, and punish loose deliveries has exposed India’s lack of variation in spin attack, especially on slow pitches.
What makes Muthusamy different from other all-rounders?
Unlike flashy all-rounders, Muthusamy thrives under pressure, plays long innings, and adapts his game to conditions. He’s not a power-hitter—he’s a technician. His bowling is medium pace with subtle variations, making him ideal for subcontinental pitches. His domestic record—over 5,000 first-class runs and 10 centuries—shows consistency most international stars lack. He’s the quiet workhorse who delivers when it matters most.
Is Muthusamy the first South African of Indian origin to make an impact in Test cricket?
Yes. While South Africa has had players of Indian descent before, none have reached this level of impact in Test cricket. Muthusamy’s success—especially against India, his ancestral homeland—adds emotional weight to his achievements. His journey from Durban’s local nets to scoring a Test century in Guwahati is a story of identity, resilience, and breaking barriers in a sport still shaped by colonial legacies.
What’s next for South Africa after this win?
South Africa leads the series 1-0 and now heads to Melbourne for the third Test. With Muthusamy in peak form and the batting lineup showing depth, they’re poised to win their first Test series in India since 2006. The challenge? Australia’s pace attack. But if Muthusamy can handle the bounce and carry his form, South Africa could be on the brink of a historic away series win.