Senuran Muthusamy had given up on playing Test cricket again

Muthusamy scored his maiden hundred in the longest format in the second match against India, helping the team to a healthy 489 first innings total in Guwahati.

He says after being on the wrong side of a 3-0 whitewash against the same nation six years ago, opportunities to play were few and far between for a spinning all-rounder.

"It's tough being a spin all rounder in South Africa. Conditions are a lot different to the sub-continent, but when we get the opportunity to play in this part of the world, we really relish that challenge.

"My journey has been unique to say the least. Got a taste of international cricket in 2019, went back into the wilderness but I took it one day at time to get myself back. There were times I wasn't sure if I was ever going to play test cricket again."

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Muthusamy says he’s just grateful to have had people around him who supported him during that time and made the journey a bit easier.

"I'm just really grateful for the support I have back home from friends and family, as well as the support I receive from the coaches and players in this team. It's been an awesome journey."

He had two key partnerships to thank for his triple figures as first Kyle Verreynne negotiated the morning session safely with him on day two, while Marco Jansen was unlucky to not record his own maiden Test century with a well-played 93.

With plenty of runs to defend Muthusamy will have to get to work with the ball along with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, to try and force a result against an Indian side with 20 wickets still intact.