NEW DELHI: Senuran Muthusamy showcased his growing confidence with the bat while Kyle Verreynne held firm as South Africa pushed India back to reach 316 for six at tea on the second day of the second Test.

The left handed Muthusamy (56 not out off 131 balls) looked composed in defence on his way to a well earned third Test fifty. He added an unbroken 70 run stand with Verreynne (38 not out off 94 balls), who began with a few nervy strokes but soon settled into a steady rhythm.

The Proteas’ decision to take the heavy roller in the morning suggested that the surface would behave true early on before starting to deteriorate by day three. The Barsapara pitch flattened out considerably, offering very little to India’s finger spinners Washington Sundar (0 for 45 in 21 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (1 for 47 in 18 overs), who struggled to find any bite.

India search for control on a slowing deck

With hardly any zip off the surface, the Indian spinners found it tough to create pressure. Muthusamy’s assured front foot defence and crisp drives kept the bowlers at bay. His recent form — including a match winning 89 not out in Pakistan — showed that India may not have fully prepared for his threat.

He survived a close call when Jadeja trapped him in front, but a successful review confirmed the ball had brushed his gloves.

India’s best hope for a breakthrough came when Kuldeep Yadav returned for a spell on the slow deck, yet unlike the first day, he struggled to generate drift. Pant turned to Washington soon after, but the off spinner remained ineffective as the South African pair continued to rebuild steadily.

(With PTI Inputs)