New Delhi:
South Africa had included a debutant in the Vizag Test to take on India. On a dry pitch, the Proteas included three spinners in Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt and the unknown Senuran Muthusamy. Muthusamy, a left-arm spinner born in Durban and representing the Dolphins franchise and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa's domestic cricket, has his roots in Chennai. After a mediocre start on day 1, Muthusamy was called to bowl on day 2 with India firmly on top thanks to a brilliant 176 from Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal's maiden ton.
Agarwal and Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli had shared a partnership of over 50 and India were on top. Kohli was looking good on 20 when Muthusamy had a dream moment. Bowling a loopy delivery that gripped and stopped on Kohli, the batsman looked to turn it to the leg side but only managed a leading edge that was taken by the bowler. Muthusamy's jubilation knew no bounds and Kohli could only watch on stunned by the manner of his dismissal.
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Muthusamy's family moved to South Africa from Tamil Nadu generations ago, the 25-year-old from Durban is no stranger to India, having toured here with South Africa A last year. He has been born and brought up in South Africa but says they are like "any other South Indian family" back home. "Our roots are from Chennai. I have still got family in Nagapattinam (about 300 kms from Chennai). Many generations have passed through but the Indian connect is very much there and our culture is very much Indian. My parents were ecstatic when they found out about my selection (for South Africa) and my debut tour against India makes it even more special. I do yoga back home in Durban which has the largest Indian population in South Africa. We visit temples regularly and some of my family even speaks Tamil. Unfortunately I don't but I am slowly starting to learn the language," Muthusamy told PTI before the match.
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Muthusamy will now make an even bigger impression at the Test arena thanks to the wicket of Kohli. Not many can count that as a wicket for a debutant.
