Guwahati Test: Marco Jansen Makes History with Sensational 6-Wicket Burst Against India

Marco Jansen carved his name into the history books in Guwahati, becoming the first South African to score a half-century and take a six-wicket haul in a Test match against India.

The 25-year-old’s match-shaping 93 in the first innings, followed by a scintillating 6 for 48, placed South Africa in complete command and turned the Guwahati Test into a personal showcase of his all-round brilliance.

On a surface that offered far more to batters than bowlers, Jansen delivered one of the finest spells by a left-arm pacer on Indian soil. His ability to extract bounce, seam movement and sustained pressure in traditionally spin-friendly conditions elevated the impact of his performance even further.

A feat among elites

Jansen’s effort propelled him into an exclusive club of visiting players who have scored a fifty and claimed a five-for in a Test in India since 2000:

• Marco Jansen (South Africa), Guwahati, 2025 – 93 & 6/48

• Nicky Boje (South Africa), Bengaluru, 2000 – 85 & 5/83

• Jason Holder (West Indies), Hyderabad, 2008 – 52 & five wickets

By going one step further with a six-wicket haul, Jansen now owns the most dominant all-round performance of the three.

Jansen triggers India’s downfall

The tall left-armer ignited India’s collapse early in the day by removing Dhruv Jurel in the morning session. He returned after tea to slice through the middle order, dismissing Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja in a rapid burst. Jasprit Bumrah’s dismissal completed Jansen’s six-for, wiping out India’s lower half and exposing their recurring issue of sudden batting implosions.

India falter after promising start

Chasing South Africa’s imposing first-innings 489, India began brightly. Resuming at 9 for no loss, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul added a steady opening stand. Jaiswal registered his maiden Test fifty against South Africa, while B Sai Sudharsan—filling in for the injured Shubman Gill—looked solid at No. 3.

But the momentum swung dramatically when Jaiswal fell to Simon Harmer, brilliantly caught by Jansen at backward point. Sai Sudharsan departed soon after, and India’s familiar slide began.

Reintroduced shortly before tea, Jansen struck immediately. Jurel miscued a pull to wide mid-on, Pant perished seeking aggression, and both Reddy and Jadeja succumbed to Jansen’s steep bounce. Bumrah edged behind to give Jansen his sixth.

Despite Washington Sundar’s fighting 48 and a brief partnership with Kuldeep Yadav, India were eventually bowled out for 201, conceding a massive lead. South Africa chose not to enforce the follow-on and walked out to bat again, firmly in control of the Test.