South Africa’s dominant tour of India found its perfect symbol in Marco Jansen, who walked away with the Player of the Match award after a brilliant all round display that shaped the 408 run win in Guwahati. The tall left arm quick produced a sensational 6 for 48 in the first innings and then added a vital 93 with the bat in South Africa’s imposing total of 489. His effort set the tone for a victory that completed a 2 0 series sweep and delivered South Africa their first Test series win in India since 2000. Jansen said the win felt extra special because of where it came. “Winning any game is a nice feeling and winning in India is special. It’s a team performance. We spoke about sticking to our own things. If it works it works,” he said after the match. He also credited head coach Shukri Conrad for giving him confidence at a time when he felt nervous. “Got to give credit to Shuks, he told me to go out and play my game, I was nervous in the first Test,” he admitted. South Africa’s performance across the two Tests was built on collective clarity. Jansen said the team left nothing to chance in their preparation. “Everyone is working hard, our prep as a team and in an individual capacity. We see where we can get better and on the field we give our best.” Jansen was part of a complete team effort that overwhelmed India from the start. Senuran Muthuswamy struck his maiden Test hundred, Tristan Stubbs played two mature innings including a gritty 94 in the second dig, and Simon Harmer dominated with the ball to finish with 6 for 37 and the Player of the Series award. The visitors posted 489 in the first innings and then bowled India out for 201 before choosing not to enforce the follow on. Their second-innings 260 for 5 declared set India a target of 549. India folded for 140 on the final day, with Ravindra Jadeja’s fighting 54 offering the only resistance. The win marked many historic milestones. It was South Africa’s biggest victory over India by runs, India’s heaviest defeat in Test cricket and the first time in 25 years that the Proteas have won a Test series on Indian soil. It was also India’s second home whitewash under Gautam Gambhir after last year’s 0 3 loss to New Zealand. Jansen’s rise continues to be one of South Africa’s finest stories. In Kolkata he looked nervous, unsure and still searching for rhythm. In Guwahati he looked like a complete force: tall, fast, confident and destructive. He leaves the Test series with the biggest prize of all, having delivered one of the most decisive match winning performances by a South African in India.
