The Proteas resumed their first innings on 247/6 on Sunday morning with Senuran Muthusamy on 25 not out, while Kyle Verreynne was unbeaten on one.

South Africa managed to take their first innings deep by scoring 489 in 151.1 overs before being bowled out.

The day, however, belonged to former North West Dragons captain Muthusamy, who scored a maiden Test century, while Potchefstroom-born-and-bred Marco Jansen in turn fell just short of what would have been his maiden ton in the longest format of the game.

Senuran Muthusamy - Cricinfo

Muthusamy struck ten fours and two sixes before eventually losing his wicket for 109 with the score on 431/8.

The lanky left-arm seamer Jansen in turn was superb with his 93 runs off 91 balls before being bowled by Kuldeep Yadav for South Africa’s final wicket.

Earlier in South Africa’s innings, Tristan Stubbs scored 49 off 112 balls, while Verreynne went on to make 45 off 122 deliveries.

Yadav was the pick of the India bowlers with 4/115 in 29.1 overs, while Jasprit Bumrah took 2/75 in 32 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja each bagged two scalps as well.

Marco Jansen - Cricinfo

At the close of play, India were on 9/0 after 6.1 overs with Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten on 7 and KL Rahul not out on 2.

Following the day’s play, Muthusamy said being able to score his maiden century against the same team and in the same country where he made his Test debut makes it even more special.

“It’s fantastic - coming to India in 2019 and losing the series quite badly was tough, so I went back to domestic cricket and worked my way back into the national setup,” said Muthusamy.

Marco Jansen - Cricinfo

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be here again, and to put in a performance like that in the first innings was an awesome experience.

“First-innings runs in the subcontinent are vital, so I just tried to do a job for the team, build partnerships, and accumulate. There was a lot of relief when I got to 100 - it was an incredible feeling.

“Of course we have Indian heritage, but that was a few generations ago. Still, I’m very grateful for the chance to play in this Test after missing the first one.

“It was a really special experience out there today - a fantastic crowd in Guwahati and a wonderful venue.”

Play at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati resumes on Monday morning at 5:30am.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport