South Africa end Day 1 of the 3rd Test at 17/1 (trail by 206 runs) after bowling out India for 223

[MenInG]

India will look to seal their first-ever series win in South Africa at Cape Town, a venue where they have never beaten the hosts, for the final Test of the series.

Overview

South Africa vs India, third Test
Newlands, Cape Town
January 11-15, 10:30 am local time

India will welcome back skipper Virat Kohli for the series decider in Cape Town. It's a venue where they are yet to win a Test match, but if we have learnt anything from this Indian Test team in the recent past, it is that they have a knack for conquering fortresses.

That said, the Newlands is the sort of venue where South Africa would back themselves to win. Since 2007, the hosts have lost just two Tests at the venue – against Australia in 2014 and England in 2020, the latter being the last Test they played in Cape Town.

South Africa used Keshav Maharaj, their spinner, for just two overs in the second Test, and at Newlands, a venue that traditionally aids the quicker bowlers, they might be tempted to add an extra batter or all-rounder in his place.

India have decisions to make too, with Kohli returning. One of the middle-order batters will have to make way for the skipper, unless they opt to sit out R Ashwin or a quick bowler and go with an extra batter.

Shardul Thakur has all but cemented his place in the XI with his showing in the second Test, but there will likely be another change in the pace attack with Mohammed Siraj, who sustained a hamstring injury at The Wanderers, set to miss out.

This is South Africa's first series in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle and they will hope to end it on a high. India, meanwhile, have 53 points so far, having won four Tests, lost two, and drawn two.

Remember the last time

India began their 2018 tour of South Africa in Cape Town, reducing the hosts to 12/3 thanks to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s sizzling spell on a spicy wicket, only for AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis to resurrect the innings and help the hosts put on 286 in the first innings.

The South Africa quicks then blew the Indian line-up away for 209, a total that was only made possible by Hardik Pandya’s aggressive 93. India returned the favour in the second innings, cleaning up the hosts for a mere 130, but the target of 208 proved to be too much in the final innings, with Vernon Philander’s 6/42 helping the hosts ease to a comfortable win.

Many protagonists from that Test match aren’t around this time, but what has remained fairly constant four years later is the strength in the bowling attack of the two teams, which was on full display in the first two Tests of this series.

The batting units have struggled to put on formidable scores, while the bowlers have thrived. KL Rahul for India and Dean Elgar for South Africa have been the standout batters with the former being the only centurion in the series so far. Only three batters have racked up more than 150 runs in the two Tests combined. On the flip side, five bowlers have 10 wickets or more and there have been three five-wicket hauls across the two Tests.

What they said

Dean Elgar (South Africa captain): "I know what KG [Rabada] is capable of. When he’s got his tail up, there's no better bowler than him and I have experienced quite a few guys who have been part of this team.”

Virat Kohli (India captain): "When I took over as captain, we were No.7 [ICC Ranking] in the world. We can't even relate to that reality anymore since we've been No.1 for so long."

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[Ab Fan]

Hardik Pandya made a spectacular 96 in that match against a bowling attack of Steyn, Rabada, Philander and Morkel. What an amazing cricketer he was!

Anyways, I would have India as favourites here. Cape Town is generally a good batting wicket except last time when they produced a green pitch and the conditions were also overcast. Dean Elgar produced his most iconic performance in Jo'Burg to level the series but don't think he has in him to produce one more back to back.

[RamLakhan]

Hardik Pandya made a spectacular 96 in that match against a bowling attack of Steyn, Rabada, Philander and Morkel. What an amazing cricketer he was!

Anyways, I would have India as favourites here. Cape Town is generally a good batting wicket except last time when they produced a green pitch and the conditions were also overcast. Dean Elgar produced his most iconic performance in Jo'Burg to level the series but don't think he has in him to produce one more back to back.

So he is already some kind of retired cricketer! So sad! (But much to the delight of our I guess even Pant is slowly moving towards that direction again to the delight of our .... you know!)

[Varun]

This is an absolute must win for us.

[RamLakhan]

This is an absolute must win for us.

If we don't win, then it will severely dent the confidence of our test cricket, and may no more remain invincible. Given the fall of quality in middle-order batting could easily rub onto other departments (bowling, opening batting, etc.) Already we seem to have lost "Pant" the magic test-batsman!

[RamLakhan]

We seem to be winning tosses..

[MenInG]

India won the toss and decided to bat

Teams:
South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar(c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi

India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav

[WhenSultansBowled]

Doesn't matter who wins the 3rd. It's been an epic series so far with some brilliant performances from both sides.

Let's hope we get another thriller and India may lose

[RamLakhan]

Umesh may bowl a few magic balls which are good on such surfaces (make it happen when nothing seems to happen), but such bowlers need runs on the board! He could be costly in low scoring affairs. We already have Thakur who falls into the same category!

[Unbiased-Fan]

So, we are playing with extremely out of form middle order and two bowling allrounders. Only KL is scoring few runs and Agarwal is supporting him a bit. Rest are there just to field.
Coming to bowling we have half fit Bumrah and Umesh who is playing after a long time.
I'll not be surprise if we get a hammering here 🤦🏻*♀️

[Ab Fan]

Virat Kohli toss record in Tests
vs SA: 10 toss wins in 12 Tests (83.3%)
vs other teams: 21 toss wins in 56 Tests (37.5%)

[RamLakhan]

I wished South Africa won the toss and decided whatever they wanted!

[boomboomcheema]

I wished South Africa won the toss and decided whatever they wanted!

Not confident of batting first and defending in the last innings ?

[RamLakhan]

If Indian seam bowling is so good (claimed to be best in their history), and on the other hand batting lineup is at all time worst one, then it baffles me at this idea of not putting he opposition to bat first on such pitches! (A chance of bowling out the opposition around 100, killing their 1 innings)

[RamLakhan]

Not confident of batting first and defending in the last innings ?

Not with this batting lineup!

[Unbiased-Fan]

If Indian seam bowling is so good (claimed to be best in their history), and on the other hand batting lineup is at all time worst one, then it baffles me at this idea of not putting he opposition to bat first on such pitches! (A chance of bowling out the opposition around 100, killing their 1 innings)

No one wants to chase in 4th innings.

[Amjid Javed]

Cant believe SA picked a spinner again

[jiduguravindra]

If Indian seam bowling is so good (claimed to be best in their history), and on the other hand batting lineup is at all time worst one, then it baffles me at this idea of not putting he opposition to bat first on such pitches! (A chance of bowling out the opposition around 100, killing their 1 innings)

If batting is at all time worst, how can u expect them to chase modest total in 4th innings?

[jiduguravindra]

Cant believe SA picked a spinner again

What a waste of space atleast ashwin bowling some overs

[Amjid Javed]

SA need early wickets here, already 1 chance dropped.

[Amjid Javed]

Just like 1st 2 test SA bowlers are giving away 1 boundary ball an over. They need to be better with new ball.

[boomboomcheema]

Strong first partnership developing already. India could run away with the game here

[boomboomcheema]

India batting at 4 rpo. SA giving away too many runs.

[Devadwal]

Cant believe SA picked a spinner again

This is pitch where spinners will get plenty of help .

[James]

Another good start by India

[boomboomcheema]

India massive favorites now.

[Mesozoic]

Ollivier has lost at least 5 KPH of pace after his county stint.

[jiduguravindra]

Ollivier has lost at least 5 KPH of pace after his county stint.

Seems to be concentrating on line and length rather than pace.

[Mesozoic]

India massive favorites now.

It's 30/0. Not 300/0. Calm down.

[Amjid Javed]

Rabada bowling garbage here most of his spell so far.

[James]

33/2

Two great deliveries from Olivier and KG

[James]

Kohli in, huge innings for him

[Varun]

Openers gone.

33/2

[Sarwar89]

Few minutes ago some people with all due respect were saying India is running away with game lol.

It is Test cricket.

Be patient.

[RamLakhan]

If batting is at all time worst, how can u expect them to chase modest total in 4th innings?

There are worst anyways!

[Amjid Javed]

India's middle order needs to step up here after those 2 quick wickets.

[DeadlyVenom]

India running away with it here. Good start and their main batsman is in.

[RamLakhan]

India's middle order needs to step up here after those 2 quick wickets.

They need not step up, because this is the last match of the series and things will be forgotten when next series arrives and they will start fresh!

[boomboomcheema]

Okay it's 50-50 now but still I would say India are slight favorites here.

[boomboomcheema]

Looking at the pitch and conditions so far, what do you guys think would be a good first innings score here ?

[James]

Looking at the pitch and conditions so far, what do you guys think would be a good first innings score here ?

260?

[James]

India 41/2 (17.3 overs) CRR 2.34

[James]

Pujara 10(21)
Kohli 0(15)

[Unbiased-Fan]

Looking at the pitch and conditions so far, what do you guys think would be a good first innings score here ?

Anything more than 200 is gold for India.
We have very pathetic lineup and no one has any hopes from them.

[jiduguravindra]

At lunch 75/2
Shared session

[Varun]

Nobody jinx Kohli!

[RamLakhan]

Nobody jinx Kohli!

That's why everyone are so silent!

[Devadwal]

Drizzling at this moment

[Pakhs]

India needs 275 to get ahead of the game.

[Thanos]

Kohli going nowhere with this strike rate.

[silentkiller187]

Pujara goes fishing

[silentkiller187]

Nobody jinx Kohli!

Kohli will make 200 today dw

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Asad Shafiq played 77 tests @38 with 12 hundreds and 27 50's. Rehane has played 81 tests @39 with 12 hundreds and 25 50's.

How come Rehane continues to play despite his mediocrity and Asad languishes despite his mediocrity? There is no selection merit when it comes to poor performers.

I think PCB should take it up with BCCI. At the very least Asad deserves an IPL contract with the newly announced 10th team.

[Pakhs]

Best was of rahane to lay here to be positive.

[RamLakhan]

Kohli will make 200 today dw

Even if he makes 200 he can't make it today! So this jinx may fail...

[RamLakhan]

If you don't play a couple of practice matches, you will never understand if a guy like Iyer is good enough (in the current form) to get into the side! You will remain in the illusion that only these players are good enough...

[Varun]

Kohli needs to score.

Sooner or later there will be one with his name on it.

Just as I say that, he hits a SIX.

[James]

This is a great contest between bat and ball.

[Cover Drive Six]

Pujara played well in last two innings..He is back.

[Varun]

Rahane gonna Rahane

[Cover Drive Six]

We are in trouble.
200 max

[RamLakhan]

Same story like previous test! India will lose it again...

[Devadwal]

Pant Just have another brainfade but save somehow

[Cover Drive Six]

We should have picked Vihari over useless Ashwin.

[The lone Ranger]

India's tail starts at Pujara. I think this is the longest tail in test history.

[MSaad1237]

Pant looks like he's gonna get out any moment.
Such poor technique.

[Hyder]

Kohli might be gone before touching 50 again

[Cover Drive Six]

quick 50 from pant will save this test.

[Varun]

Pant is like Sehwag minus the street-smartness.

Sehwag scored a debut 100 in South Africa batting at #6. No way Rishabh Afridi can do that.

[Devadwal]

What is pant doing .why he is chasing balls instead of leaving .

[James]

Pant in T20 mode already.

[The lone Ranger]

Can we expect a Tom Latham kind of innings from pant today?

[Cover Drive Six]

Can we expect a Tom Latham kind of innings from pant today?

Then We need Bagla kind of bowling

[silentkiller187]

if pujara or rahane played a similar innings to the way kohli is playing now the hate they would be getting would be something else. 33 (111)

[Pakhs]

Pant is like Sehwag minus the street-smartness.

Sehwag scored a debut 100 in South Africa batting at #6. No way Rishabh Afridi can do that.

On his day he can to be honest. Shewag wasn't overly successful in SENA countries even though he was a pure batter where Pant is a wicket keeper batsman.

[Devadwal]

Rabada is bowling his best spell of the series .just leave the balls as much as they can .

[Mesozoic]

Rabada toying around with Kohli... Brilliant bowling!!

[Amjid Javed]

Cant see a need for SA using mahraj with the ball here. very poor selection, extra batsmen in these conditions is huge.

[Varun]

Rabada eating Kohli alive here.

[Manunited18]

Cant see a need for SA using mahraj with the ball here. very poor selection, extra batsmen in these conditions is huge.

Seems more of a quota selection than anything else, who in these conditions brings no value.