South Africa’s rising all-rounder Marco Jansen delivered a match-defining spell on Day 3 of the second Test against India in Guwahati, turning personal disappointment into a dominant bowling performance that has given the Proteas a massive advantage in the ICC World Test Championship clash.
A day earlier, Jansen was visibly devastated after being bowled for 93, narrowly missing what would have been his maiden Test century. The inside edge off Kuldeep Yadav’s googly left him stunned despite registering his best-ever Test score. But by the time he arrived at the ACA Stadium the next morning, the 25-year-old was fully recharged.
Jansen revealed that a long conversation with his family helped him reset. “I called my brother, sister, mom, dad… just to get all the feelings out,” he told reporters. “I was trying to blow some steam off.”
South Africa, despite an early breakthrough from Keshav Maharaj, looked under pressure as India reached 95/1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal blazing to a fluent 58. But Simon Harmer’s double strike shifted momentum before Jansen took over completely. His fiery spell ripped through India’s middle order, dismissing Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, and captain Rishabh Pant.
His figures of 6/48—the third-best by a South African bowler in Tests on Indian soil—underscored his growing stature. Jansen acknowledged the added responsibility in the absence of Kagiso Rabada. “Not having KG definitely puts pressure on myself and Mulder,” he said. “But I always try to see myself as someone who can break the game open.”
Reflecting on his missed century, Jansen admitted experiencing nerves throughout his innings. “I was nervous at 20… 30… 40… all the way,” he laughed. “Next time I’d rather get caught at the boundary than defending.”
With South Africa leading by 314 runs and all ten wickets intact in their second innings, the visitors are well-placed to push for their first Test series win in India since 2000.