On the second day of the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, South Africa capitalized on a flat pitch and faltering Indian strategy, racing to 396 for seven after 130.4 overs, with Senuran Muthusamy unbeaten on 83 off 180 deliveries and Marco Jansen unbeaten on 46 off 41 balls, as the visitors edged closer to a commanding total in the Freedom Trophy series.

Captain Rishabh Pant's decision to bowl first after losing the toss backfired dramatically in the first session, where India endured a wicketless spell of 29 overs, allowing South Africa to add 69 runs and cross 300, exposing vulnerabilities in the seam attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav amid stagnant conditions that trapped the ball on a batsman-friendly surface.

The post-lunch breakthrough finally arrived after 236 balls without a wicket, as Jadeja claimed Kyle Verreynne for 45, denying the wicketkeeper-batter a half-century and breaking a marathon 77-run stand that had tilted momentum firmly towards the Proteas; Muthusamy, now partnering with Jansen, remains on the cusp of his maiden Test century, having anchored the innings with resolute defense and timely aggression.

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Jansen unleashed a brutal assault in the dying overs, smashing three consecutive sixes off Kuldeep Yadav to propel South Africa beyond 390, a sequence that not only inflicted psychological blows on the Indian fielders but also forced Pant to hastily recalibrate field placements and bowling changes, highlighting the all-rounder's growing pains in his nascent captaincy role.

With Kuldeep's figures at three for 94 and Bumrah's at one for 59 after 26.4 overs, India now face an uphill battle to restrict South Africa under 450 and set up a realistic chase, as the hosts' bowlers grapple with the heat and humidity while the unbeaten duo eyes further consolidation, setting the stage for a tense Day 3 where Pant's leadership will be tested to its limits.

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