When Senuran Muthusamy raised his bat to a roaring crowd at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025, it wasn’t just a century—it was a redemption arc written in sweat, silence, and sheer grit. The 31-year-old South African all-rounder, playing his eighth Test, smashed his maiden Test ton—109 off 192 balls—with 10 fours and two towering sixes—before falling to Mohammed Siraj—helping Proteas Men CSA post a commanding 489 in their first innings. The moment came in front of a packed house in Guwahati, Assam, where the air crackled with anticipation and the weight of history.
A Journey From the Edge of Oblivion
Muthusamy’s story isn’t just about runs. It’s about survival. He made his Test debut against India in Visakhapatnam on October 2, 2019, and took Virat Kohli’s wicket—caught and bowled for 20—but with the bat, he was invisible. South Africa lost that series 3-0. By the end of 2020, he was out of the side. "There were times," he told Cricbuzz, "where I wasn’t sure if I’d ever play Test cricket again. Especially not in India." He vanished into domestic cricket. Worked. Waited. Doubled down on discipline. Trained with sports scientist Cheryl Calder, who helped him refine his footwork against spin and his patience against pace. He didn’t just improve—he transformed. His 89 not out in Pakistan earlier in 2025 was the first sign. This? This was the confirmation.The Partnership That Changed the Game
South Africa were 201 for five when Muthusamy walked in. By the time he was dismissed, they were 489 for six. The turning point? A 97-run stand with Marco Jansen, who himself scored 93. Jansen came in at 334 for seven, with Muthusamy on 67. They didn’t just bat—they rebuilt. Muthusamy’s half-century came off 121 balls, cautious, almost surgical. Then, after Kyle Verreynne fell for 45, he shifted gears. Fours became sixes. The crowd, many of them Indian fans, began to clap—not out of obligation, but admiration.When the final boundary came, teammates erupted. Simon Harmer stood and cheered. Jansen sprinted over, arms wide. Muthusamy lifted his helmet, bat high, punched the air. It was pure, unfiltered joy.
A Record Year, A Personal Triumph
His century wasn’t just personal—it was historic. With this innings, South Africa became the first team to have nine different batters score centuries in a single calendar year. That’s more than Australia, more than England, more than India. Nine men. Nine chances. Nine moments of brilliance. And Muthusamy? He was the last one standing.There’s another layer: heritage. Muthusamy’s family roots trace back to Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, India. His mother and aunts still visit relatives there. He’s never set foot in the town. "Of course, I’m of Indian heritage," he said. "But that was quite a few generations ago. My roots are in the south—but I’ve never been there yet." It’s a quiet irony: a man of Indian descent, playing his first Test hundred in India, against India, in front of a crowd that could’ve been his own.
India’s Fightback Begins—But the Odds Are Stacked
At stumps on Day 2, India were 9 for 0, trailing by 480 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 7 not out, and KL Rahul, 2 not out, survived a tricky evening under lights. But make no mistake: South Africa’s bowling attack, led by Harmer and Jansen, is licking its lips. The pitch, already wearing, will offer more turn and uneven bounce on Day 3. India’s top order, so dominant in the first Test, looks shell-shocked.What happens next? If South Africa can bowl India out for under 250, they’ll be in position to force a win by Day 4. A draw? Possible. But unlikely. This isn’t just about runs anymore. It’s about momentum. And right now, it’s all in the Proteas’ hands.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
Muthusamy’s story is a reminder that cricket isn’t just about talent—it’s about tenacity. He didn’t get picked because of flashy T20 stats. He clawed his way back through domestic grind, late-night video sessions, and the quiet belief of a few coaches who never gave up on him.And for South African cricket? This century signals a shift. After years of rebuilding, they’re no longer just competitive—they’re dangerous. Nine centuries in one year. A batting lineup that’s finally firing in tandem. A team that doesn’t just survive overseas—it thrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Senuran Muthusamy improve his batting after his poor 2019 tour of India?
Muthusamy worked extensively with sports scientist Cheryl Calder, focusing on footwork against spin, shot selection, and mental discipline. He spent months in domestic cricket, analyzing his failures against Indian conditions, and rebuilt his technique to play longer innings. His 89 not out in Pakistan in February 2025 was the first major sign of his turnaround.
What record did South Africa set with Muthusamy’s century?
Muthusamy’s 109 was the ninth century scored by a different South African batter in 2025—the most in a single calendar year in the team’s history. No other Proteas side has ever had nine individual centurions in one year, surpassing previous records set in 2003 and 2015.
Why is Guwahati significant for this Test match?
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is one of India’s newer international venues and has hosted only a handful of Tests. Its pitch typically offers early assistance to seamers but deteriorates quickly, favoring spinners later. This match marked the first time a South African batter scored a century here, adding symbolic weight to Muthusamy’s achievement.
What’s the historical context of Muthusamy’s Indian heritage?
Muthusamy’s ancestors came from Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, part of the Indian diaspora that settled in South Africa in the 19th century. While his mother and aunts have visited family there, he has never traveled to India. His century, therefore, carries a quiet emotional resonance—a son of the diaspora scoring his first Test hundred on the soil of his ancestral homeland.
What are the implications for the rest of the Test series?
With a 480-run lead and India’s top order struggling, South Africa are in prime position to win this Test and take a 2-0 series lead. If they bowl India out for under 250 on Day 3, they’ll likely enforce the follow-on. A win here would be South Africa’s first Test series victory in India since 2010, and their first ever in Assam.
How did the crowd react to Muthusamy’s century?
Despite being Indian fans, the crowd gave Muthusamy a standing ovation—a rare gesture in international cricket. Many chanted his name, and social media buzzed with clips of his celebration. It was a moment of sportsmanship that transcended rivalry, acknowledging the sheer quality and emotional weight of his innings.
