South Africa V. India Third Test: India Dominate Day 3 Before Dangerous Pitch Halts Play
Match Highlights:
- SA are on 17-1 48
- India were dismissed for 247
- Rahane scored
- SA need 241 to win
Taking the field at Johannesburg on Day 3in the final test match of the three match series, India put in one of their best batting performance of the series. On a cloudy day under tough conditions, India batted extremely well as they saw off the South African bowlers to post a target of 241 for South Africa after managing to get to 247. Bringing in the reliable Ajinkya Rahane to steady the ship, India found themselves grinding through ball after stinging ball thrown at them by the South Africans on a pitch that offered nothing for the batsmen and is one of the toughest India have played on in a long time.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India got off to the worst of starts after they were bundled out for just 187. They bounced back with the ball though as a superlative performance by their bowlers saw them come back into the back as they dismissed the hosts for 194, handing them only a 7 runs lead. Despite Amla’s heroics of 61 the South African saw themselves succumbing to fabulous bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Bumrah shone for the Indians and picked up a five wicket haul in the process.
Coming out to bat in the second innings, India looked determine to put right all their wrongs as they dug in on the third day. For the second time in the match, Rahane (48) and Kohli (41) put on a fine partnership to see India reach a good total. Handy runs for Kumar (31) and Shami (28) provided just the impetus needed for the Indians before they bowled for the second time in the match, looking to defend 240 and win a consolation match in the series. They ended up picking an early wicket before some shameful antics by South Africa saw them complaint about the pitch being too dangerous which brought an early end to the day’s play.
That’s it for the day then, South Africa end day on 17/1 still needing 224 more to win and India requiring 9 wickets.
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