Guwahati, Nov 23 (NationPress) India's opening batsmen KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal successfully navigated the challenges to finish at 9/0 in 6.1 overs as the second day of play against South Africa concluded at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Deteriorating light conditions led to an early finish, leaving India trailing by 480 runs.

Earlier, South Africa had set a daunting target by scoring 489 in their first innings, bolstered by Senuran Muthusamy's impressive 109—his first Test century—and Marco Jansen's explosive 93. Their career-best performances put South Africa in a commanding position.

As India began their innings, Rahul and Jaiswal faced the new ball with poise, and the hosts secured their first boundary when Jaiswal flicked a delivery from Jansen through square leg.

With both Jansen and Wiaan Mulder maintaining tight bowling, India remained cautious until stumps. With three days remaining, the pressure mounts on India to equalize the series and avoid a second consecutive series loss on home soil.

During the match, Muthusamy displayed his batting prowess, reminiscent of his performances in Rawalpindi and Chattogram, by scoring a remarkable century featuring 10 fours and 2 sixes. Jansen also contributed significantly with his entertaining 93, which included six fours and seven sixes, placing South Africa in a strong position.

For India, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each. Notably, Simon Harmer was the only South African batter who did not reach double digits in an otherwise dominant innings.

The final session commenced with Siraj securing a crucial breakthrough when Muthusamy, attempting a hook, was caught at fine leg, concluding his career-best innings of 109 that had frustrated India.

Jansen continued to dominate, striking two massive sixes off Jadeja and collecting more boundaries, pushing South Africa past 440, before Bumrah dismissed Simon Harmer. Jansen was involved in a resilient last-wicket partnership with Keshav Maharaj, contributing 18 runs.

However, Jansen narrowly missed his maiden Test century, falling for 93 after getting out to a Kuldeep googly. His innings, featuring seven sixes, matched the record for the highest number of sixes hit by a lower-order batter in India. With South Africa's score being the highest for a first innings in a Test match lost in India, they have positioned themselves well for a rare series victory on Indian soil.

Brief Scores: South Africa 489 in 151.1 overs (Senuran Muthusamy 109, Marco Jansen 93; Kuldeep Yadav 4-115, Jasprit Bumrah 2-75) lead India 9/0 in 6.1 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 7 not out, KL Rahul 2 not out) by 480 runs.