Three days of unmatched entertainment. The second Test between India and South Africa in Johannesburg is yet to build on a poor season and the rapid pace at which it is progressing means that we will most likely only have a fourth day, in which the hosts have lost eight. 122 runs would be required to win by wicket. in bank.
Here are the main points of discussion of the third day
Rahane, Pujara Turn it on
The first hour of the game was India’s on the third morning. Their two senior-most members, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, left their future uncertain after a series of low scores. Both batted with confidence and aggression which left the South African bowlers disappointed. Pujara ended Day 2 with a boundary and started Day 3 with a boundary as well. He was the first one to reach his fifty, while Rahane took his time before blooming and even hit a scintillating six before hitting his fifty.
India vs South Africa: full coverage , photos , the schedule , result
The pair forged a century partnership before parting ways, setting the stage for a size-worthy lead.
Vihari stops it from resolving
…but as with this competition, when one team seems to have taken control, the other immediately takes it back. Today, it was Kagiso Rabada who dealt three major blows to India’s hopes of setting a formidable target. In no time he swallowed up Pujara, Rahane and the dreaded Rishabh Pant. And it looked like the innings was heading towards an early end but Hanuma Vihari, who made it to the eleven after Virat Kohli was ineligible to take the field, showed his worth. Batting deftly along the lower order, he scored an unbeaten 40 and helped his team get a decent lead.
In pictures: India vs South Africa 2nd Test, Day 3
Pant vs Van Der Dussen 1.0
Expect entertainment when Pant is on the field. Be it batting or behind the stumps, there is never a dull moment. When he came out to bat today, Rassi van der Dussen couldn’t stop himself from reminding the Indian wicketkeeper of his controversial catch earlier in the competition. Pant retorted and said that if he has half the knowledge then he should keep quiet. But it was the South African who had the last laugh as Pant charged forward for a wild swing and ended up getting caught-back for a duck by Rabada.
confrontation
Marco Janssen overtakes Jasprit Bumrah with a short delivery. He saw every such attempt with the eyes of death. Bumrah gave a befitting reply. When he took a bite on his arm, he probably shrugged it off to show that he was doing fine. Another bouncer followed and this time he hit the helmet. One more stare. Words were exchanged. This time Bumrah signaled to Jenson to come closer and the youngster agreed. More words were exchanged. The temperature went up. Umpire Marais Erasmus quickly arrived as peacemaker.
Read also: South Africa’s advantage after the third day
Pant vs van der Dussen 2.0
When Van der Dussen came to bat at number one. 4 Later in the day, he must have mentally prepared himself not only for India’s fast bowlers but also for the verbal volleys coming Pant’s way. The otherwise irritable Pant was uncharacteristically calm for the early part of the South African innings but eventually came into his own. His best, however, was reserved for van der Dussen.
When South Africa No. 4 Re-marking his guard, Pant said that Van der Dussen is so unaware that after batting more than four overs, he does not know where his guard is. It was one of the many shots Pant aimed at his opponent.
Elgar, the Fighter
Dean Elgar has a history of combating body blows. During the 2019 Ranchi Test, he was injured after being hit by a bouncer from Umesh Yadav. Things didn’t go that far on Wednesday, but they were forced to come up with some bravery against some hostile Indian bowling. A sharp bouncer from Bumrah hit him near the helmet grille, forcing the physio for the mandatory concussion test. Mohammed Shami later pinged him on the shoulder, but before that he pointed for one for one, which again required a physio in the middle. This time leaning towards his finger. The captain continued to fight, reaching 46 for 121 with two fours and making sure his team finished the day on a high.
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