Marco Jansen falls short of maiden Test century at 93 in Guwahati

Marco Jansen narrowly missed his maiden Test century, falling for 93 after a powerful counterattacking innings. His seven sixes placed him in elite company, equalling Shahid Afridi's record against India. Jansen's cautious approach as he neared the milestone ultimately proved costly, with Kuldeep Yadav taking four wickets for India.

Marco Jansen's dream of scoring his first Test century ended painfully on 93, as the South African all-rounder fell on Day 2 of the second Test in Guwahati. After a powerful, counterattacking innings that repeatedly pushed India onto the defensive, Jansen walked back visibly disappointed, muttering in frustration as he headed toward the dressing room.

His dismissal came when Kuldeep Yadav outsmarted him with a brilliantly disguised googly pitched outside off. The delivery turned sharply, Jansen stretched forward tentatively, and an inside edge ricocheted onto the stumps—ending a superb effort just seven runs short of three figures.

Jansen's knock, studded with seven sixes, placed him in elite company. His tally is now the joint-most sixes in a Test innings against India, equalling Shahid Afridi's 103 off 80 in Lahore in 2006. He also registered the second-most sixes hit by a No. 9 or lower in a Test innings, behind Tim Southee's nine on debut in 2008.

The left-hander appeared on track for a memorable hundred but noticeably slowed down as he approached the milestone. With Keshav Maharaj providing steady support, Jansen grew more cautious—perhaps weighed down by nerves—and that change in tempo ultimately proved costly.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav finished as the standout bowler with figures of 4 for 115. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets apiece, while Washington Sundar and debutant Nitish Reddy went wicketless. Reddy bowled only six overs out of India's exhausting 151.1-over spell.

South Africa's total of 489 is now the highest first-innings score by any visiting team that has eventually lost a Test match in India. While every batter except Simon Harmer contributed with double figures, it was Jansen's emotional walk back—so close to a maiden hundred—that remained the defining moment of the day's play.

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Source: EconomicTimes
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