South Africa reach 118/2 at close of Day 3 needing 122 more runs to beat India at the Wanderers

[MenInG]

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[MenInG]

Shardul Thakur's seven-wicket haul helped reduce South Africa to 229, after which Cheteswhar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane took India to safety after they lost their openers.

India finished the day on 85/2 but with a solid lead of 58 to build upon on day three. South Africa, on the other hand, will be ruing the missed opportunity to put on a sizeable lead.

Starting the day on 35/1, Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen were largely untroubled by the Indian bowlers, bar a handful of half-chances that were created. The Proteas captain was given out caught behind early on but umpire review came to his rescue, with the replays suggesting that it was a bump ball.

While Elgar was far from his fluent best, he motored on while Petersen did the bulk of the run-scoring, finding boundaries regularly to keep the scoreboard ticking.

It looked like the two batters would take South Africa unscathed into lunch but Shardul Thakur's triple strike helped India wrest some control back before the break.

He broke the 74-run partnership for the second wicket by snaring Elgar caught behind. Petersen brought up his maiden Test fifty but failed to convert it into a big one. Thakur lured him with a wide delivery swinging away and Petersen fell for the trap, edging it to the second slip.

Rassie van der Dussen fell on the stroke of lunch as South Africa went from 88/1 to 102/4.

South Africa needed to consolidate after the quick strikes and it was Kyle Verreynne and Temba Bavuma that bailed them out of trouble. Mixing caution with aggression, they strung together a 60-run stand where the duo showed great application on a difficult track.

Unfortunately for South Africa, their second session was a carbon copy of the first, where they dominated for the most part but lost their way towards the end.

It was Shardul Thakur again who got India the breakthrough, trapping Verreynne in front of the stumps for 21. Bavuma reached his fifty in two overs later but was out the very next ball strangled down the leg side as Thakur completed his first Test five-wicket haul.

Mohammad Shami then get on in the act and got rid of Kagiso Rabada before tea, with South Africa still 11 runs behind India going into the break.

Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj, who ended up scoring 21 runs each, added crucial 38 runs for the eighth wicket before Jasprit Bumrah cleaned the latter up. Fittingly, Shardul Thakur finished the South African innings off with two wickets in four balls. South Africa were bowled out for 229, with a slender 27-run lead.

India got off to a brisk start and knocked off 24 out of South Africa's 27 run-lead before Jansen dismissed KL Rahul for 8. Agarwal was the next to walk back as he shouldered arms to a ball moving in and was adjudged leg before wicket.

India were in a spot of bother when their two most experienced batters, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, in the game took them to safety at stumps. Pujara, in particular, showed tremendous intent even as the end of the day was approaching closer, scoring seven boundaries in his knock of 35* off 42.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2439951

[dildilpak]

Expect India to crumble today. I cant see their middle order sustaining pressure on a wicket which is getting more difficult to play by the day.

[Smbhayi]

Hopefully Pujara scores big today..

[AutoCrat]

Expect India to crumble today. I cant see their middle order sustaining pressure on a wicket which is getting more difficult to play by the day.

It is bound to happen, that's why Pujara has to anchor the innings and others need to contribute with attacking 25s 30s. Before you know it you will be near to 200 lead and whatever on top of it is a bonus.

[Unbiased-Fan]

On this type of wicket, batting collapse is not far away. South Africa is just one wicket away from a comeback. If India manage to take a lead over 200, then it will be a close match, otherwise RSA are favourites. Still RSA ahead 60:40.

[pratiktc]

SA still ahead in match and India will have to set atleast 200-220 target to have a chance which looks really difficult with India's weak middle order.

Need one batsman to make a 70 odd and rest to chip in with 20-25 scores.

Lead of 27 runs might end up being the difference maker in end

[Napa]

SA still ahead in match and India will have to set atleast 200-220 target to have a chance which looks really difficult with India's weak middle order.

Need one batsman to make a 70 odd and rest to chip in with 20-25 scores.

Lead of 27 runs might end up being the difference maker in end

Expecting Thakur to score a fifty. He should have his confidence back after receiving little support from his captains who barely give him a chance to bowl.

[MenInG]

Seems some bad blood yesterday?

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[Smbhayi]

Great start so far for india..

[CrIc_Mystique]

Am pessimistic of our chances.
Its gonna be a procession of our batsmen. I so hope i will be pleasently surprised.
Hope Lord Beefy smashes a quick fire innings that lives on. Will be intresting viewing.

[Varun]

Today is when the series will be potentially decided.

Pujara looked good last night, let's hope he carries on.

Odds on Rahane to get out within the first 5 overs are high as usual.

[Varun]

On the plus side, they're pros at making those career saving 55s. It's what has given them such a long rope so far.

...

My call from yesterday.

[Varun]

On the plus side, they're pros at making those career saving 55s. It's what has given them such a long rope so far.

Our dynamic duo haven't disappointed.

[MP2011]

...

My call from yesterday.

Your prophecy more or less on the mark.

[Devadwal]

I don't have much hope from Indian batsman . Southafrica favourite to win this test today itself

[sam_ahm]

200 will be tough to chase for this South African batting line up. I'm fancying India's win for sure.

[MP2011]

200 will be tough to chase for this South African batting line up. I'm fancying India's win for sure.

Yeah, need at least 150 more runs from rest 8 bats. 200+ will be like gold.

[Advaith]

It's very difficult not to expect a collapse here.

[Devadwal]

No point of playing tuk tuk game on this pitch , better to play last night approch .

[MP2011]

Gotta play positive cricket and not be timid as is the case with these 2, especially Pujara.

[Advaith]

South Africa try not to give away runs in search of wickets ..better to stay calm for first hour of play..

[MP2011]

Pujara continuing in the same vein as yesterday. There will be a time when Elgar starts panicking.

[Smbhayi]

Four, rahane in 30s

[sam_ahm]

India showing a lot of intent here which is the mark of a champion team. In the past we were so used to see other teams attacking against us in such situations.

[MP2011]

What a shot from Rahane!

[MP2011]

Lead is up to 70 now.

[Varun]

Cheteshwar Pajero.

[Sidilicious]

India need to set a target of 250.

200 could be achieved by one counter attacking 60-70. Anything between 175-225 is anyones game.

Anything less than 175 and SA will be favourites.

[MP2011]

Another great shot from Rahane, 6!

[Varun]

Rahane upper cuts for 6.

This is the way to play in this situation. Attack is the best form of defence.

[Smbhayi]

Edged and four by Pujara.. played well though

[Smbhayi]

Shot, four by Rahane..

[sam_ahm]

This is brilliant stuff form these two shutting down their critics.

[Sidilicious]

And why cant these two play like this most of the times? At least Pujara? He always crawls to about 12 runs in 60 balls and gets out.

[MP2011]

Lead has galloped to 95.

[Nikhil_cric]

The batting conditions have gotten easier. Toughest day was day 1, day2 was around 10 % easier and looks like it has gotten easier still.

Bounce has gotten a lot more consistent.

[Sidilicious]

The batting conditions have gotten easier. Toughest day was day 1, day2 was around 10 % easier and looks like it has gotten easier still.

Bounce has gotten a lot more consistent.

The pitch has gotten a little easier, but I also think that the roller is playing its part. I expect the uneven bounce after the first hour of play.

[Smbhayi]

Another edge and four by Rahane..

[Smbhayi]

That boundary call is harsh..

[Smbhayi]

Rahane gone, that's a beauty frm rabada

[Devadwal]

Runs have flow in morning of every day so don't jump any conclusions so early .

[Unbiased-Fan]

107 lead now 👌👌
Aggressive batting by Rahane and Pujara.
49 runs added in 9 overs.

[Devadwal]

Dropped,that was a dolly but they messed it

[MP2011]

50 for Pujara.

[Devadwal]

On this deck wickets will be falls in cluster .
Fify by Pujara

[Nikhil_cric]

Unpredictable bounce back again. That reared up a lot.

[TNAmarkFromIndia]

Rahane upper cuts for 6.

This is the way to play in this situation. Attack is the best form of defence.

If he got out early, you would have called him an idiot for throwing his wicket away

[MP2011]

Not dropped but no one went for it.

[MP2011]

100 partnership up between these 2

[MP2011]

50 for Rahane, another great stroke.

[Unbiased-Fan]

100 runs partnership 😍😍
Great Fifties from Pujara and Rahane.
Now both have prolonged their career for another year.

[The lone Ranger]

The best time to score on this pitch is right after the use of the heavy roller which flatten out the surface for some time, after that the demon will wake up and wicket will start to crumble due to uneven bounce.

[MP2011]

Rahane gone and here come the customary collapse.

[Devadwal]

Rahane gone ,now floodgates will open

[Amjid Javed]

Even despite that wicket, india will get over a 200 run lead here and win the match.

[Thanos]

That boundary call is harsh..

No it wasn't. The cushion moved back due to Jansen's attempt. Bavuma placed his foot exactly where the cushion would be normally.

[MP2011]

5 free runs from Rabada.

[Varun]

Enter Rishabh Afridi

[Varun]

Enter Rishabh Afridi

3rd ball duck in honour of the great man.

[Thanos]

Pujara gone.

[Thanos]

Need at least 100 runs from remaining batters.

[Ashmal]

SA bowlers have been pretty poor...too many freebies on what is still a pretty helpful wicket

India to get 200+ lead and win

[Unbiased-Fan]

I can sense India allout before lunch.
We need to take our lead close to 230 anyhow.

[Unbiased-Fan]

Great shot from Vihari.
Lead is 140 now.

[MP2011]

Success has gone to Pant's head. Such an irresponsible shot at this juncture.

[MP2011]

Time for Ashwin to pay back for his lack of wickets in this test.

[Unbiased-Fan]

Pant is garbage. Knew he gonna throw his wicket like this. Now everything depends on Lord Thakur.

[volcyz]

Rishab Afridi gone and smashes his bat in rage LOL

[Devadwal]

Pant you idiot. This is test match

[MP2011]

Pathetic Pant gone.

[SpiritOf1903]

Huge momentum shift!

[GLORY OF '92]

Wow.....

Did he get intimated?

[Thanos]

Pant really need to learn to assess situation and play shots accordingly.
Watching bounce of the pitch since 3 days, specially today morning and playing shot like that on 3rd delivery he faced.
What a pathetic player

[Ashmal]

Pant....what a hack

[Advaith]

Worst possible scenario for India ..loose the match and go with same batting line up next match

[MP2011]

This is a decisive momentum shift towards SA.

[Ashmal]

This is a decisive momentum shift towards SA.

Nah...Indian bowlers are good enough to defend 180-200 here

[MP2011]

Nah...Indian bowlers are good enough to defend 180-200 here

Don't think we'll reach there.

[Rana]

Pant could care less