Senuran Muthusamy

Senuran Muthusamy is a South African cricketer who represents his nation at the international level. Muthusamy can trace his ancestry to India, with his family in Nagapattinam– a small town in Tamil Nadu. A prolific all-rounder, Muthusamy is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler with an ability to chip in with useful runs lower down the order. Although not a huge turner of the ball, Muthusamy’s variations make him a dangerous customer.

He honed his cricketing skills during his U-19 days with KwaZulu-Natal. He became a regular feature for the Dolphins side during the 2016-17 domestic season and was one of their best players in that season.

Muthusamy’s breakout season came during the 2017-18 campaign, where he showed his skills with the ball in hand and bagged 33 wickets, at an average of 26.54.

After years of hard work, Muthusamy was finally rewarded with a place in the South African Test side for the tour of India in 2019. He made his Test debut during the first game of the series in Visakhapatnam, but he could only take two wickets across two Test matches. 

After carving out a steady niche in South African domestic cricket, Senuran Muthusamy’s career began to take significant strides in March 2022 when he scored his maiden List A century. The commanding 100 off 106 balls against Western Province in the CSA One-Day Cup wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a statement. These innings showcased Muthusamy’s ability to anchor an innings with calm composure, while his all-around capabilities continued to evolve. More importantly, it marked the emergence of a cricketer ready to shoulder bigger responsibilities in the fiercely competitive South African domestic setup.

Throughout the 2022–2023 season, representing North West, Muthusamy’s consistency became his hallmark. Whether it was steady runs in the middle order or vital breakthroughs with his left-arm orthodox spin, he established himself as a reliable all-rounder. His performances, though often under the radar amid the bright flashes of younger stars, quietly contributed to his team’s successes. His batting average hovered steadily around the 30-mark, while his bowling average consistently kept him in the reckoning for selection at higher levels.

October 2024 proved to be a defining month for Muthusamy. After a period away from international duties, he earned a recall to the South African Test squad for the home series against Bangladesh. The opportunity was ripe for a player who had steadily built momentum, and Muthusamy seized it with both hands. In the second Test, he produced career-best bowling figures of 4/45 in the second innings — a spell that highlighted his skill as a crafty left-arm spinner capable of troubling batters with subtle variations and flight. This performance cemented his place as a valuable spin-bowling all-rounder in a team eager to balance youth and experience.

Early in 2025, Muthusamy’s journey reached another milestone when he made his ODI debut during the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series. In February, he took to the field against New Zealand, signalling his arrival on the limited-overs international stage.

In a significant boost to his international career, Senuran Muthusamy was named in South Africa’s 15-member squad for the prestigious 2025 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s. This selection not only reflects the team’s trust in his all-around capabilities but also offers him a prime opportunity to shine on one of cricket’s grandest stages. As South Africa seeks its maiden WTC title, Muthusamy’s spin bowling and middle-order resilience could prove vital in tipping the balance in a high-pressure encounter.

As Muthusamy stands at this crossroads in his career, his trajectory suggests the potential to be a valuable journeyman in South African cricket — a player who might not always grab headlines but can be trusted to deliver crucial performances when it matters most. His blend of steady batting and reliable left-arm spin makes him an asset in all formats, particularly in the longer version where balance is key.

(As of May 2025)