IND vs SA 2025: India will have to do the heavy lifting to push for a win, says Ravichandran Ashwin

Published - 23 Nov 2025, 15:08 IST | Updated - 23 Nov 2025, 15:23 IST

Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin feels India will have to go through some major workload to get close to winning the ongoing second Test of the series against South Africa. Batting for almost a couple of days, the visiting team got the better of the Rishabh Pant-led side after winning the toss and opting to bat first at the Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.

Ashwin, who had already praised Senuran Muthusamy in particular, commented on X after South Africa had not got bowled out even at the conclusion of the fifth session of the match, as it was the afternoon session on the second day in Guwahati.

"SA have knocked off 5 sessions from this test now. India will have to do the heavy lifting to push for a win, also keeping in mind that another session will surely be lost due to bad light. Muthusamy’s defensive technique against spin has been the highlight so far," Ashwin wrote on his X handle.

Muthusamy was dismissed in the initial phase of the third session of Day 2. However, it was not before he registered his maiden international ton (109 off 206) while completely frustrating the Indian bowlers. The batting all-rounder's innings comprised 10 fours and two sixes. During his time in the middle, he put on substantial partnerships with Tony de Zorzi, Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen.

Pant rages at spinner for ignoring the stop-clock rule

South Africa already possess a lead. They won the series-opening clash by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Simon Harmer (4/30 in 15.2 overs and 4/21 in 14 overs) emerged as the Player of the Match for his match haul of eight wickets. Skipper Temba Bavuma was the only player in this low-scoring affair to have put together a half-century.

The Tests will be followed by three ODIs. After the 50-over leg, five T20Is will be played. This current Test will be crucial for India's run in the 2025-27 cycle of the World Test Championship. Losing this match could serve as a significant setback for the hosts, and will be India's second in three home Test series.