Cape Town, First Published Jan 13, 2022, 9:49 PM IST
Cape Town: India’s hopes of winning the first Test series on South African soil are in the balance. The hosts need just 111 runs to win the third and final Test in Cape Town. With eight wickets in hand, South Africa are expected to win on the fourth day. At stumps on the third day, the hosts were in a 101 strong position. Keegan Peterson (48) is at the crease. South Africa lost the wickets of Aiden Markram (16) and Dean Elgar (30). Mohammad Shami and Jaspreet Bumra took one wicket each. Earlier, Rishabh Pant’s (100) opportunistic century took the visitors’ lead to 200. Marco Johnson took four wickets. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi took three wickets each. India had a 13-run lead in the first innings. South Africa were bowled out for 210 against India’s 223. Jaspreet Bumra’s five-wicket haul helped India win the toss.
Century of the ball
India were 58 for four in the second innings. Later, the Kohli-Ball partnership at the crease saved India from collapse. The duo added 94 runs for the fifth wicket. Kohli, who played cautiously, scored 29 off 143 balls. But Kohli came back with the ball from Ngidi. Later, R Ashwin (7) and Shardul Thakur (5) could not support the ball. Umesh Yadav (0), Mohammad Shami (0) and Jaspreet Bumra (0) were the other batsmen to reach the crease. The ball also completed its fifth Test century. The ball’s innings consisted of six fours and four sixes.
Pujara-Rahane alliance disappointed again
India started the third day at 57 for two. India lost two wickets in the first session. Cheteshwar Pujara (9) was the first to return. Keegan Peterson’s catch in the leg gully off Johnson’s ball. The ball flew over the boundary and was caught by Peterson. Rahane’s life was just nine balls. Rabada’s bouncer glossy slip into Dean Elgar’s hands. Elgal got the ball in the hands of the wicket keeper.
India got off to a bad start in the second innings
India got off to a bad start in the second innings. With just 24 runs on the scoreboard, India lost both their openers. Mayank Agarwal was the first to return. Mayank, who scored just seven runs, was caught by captain Dean Elgar on a Kagiso Rabada slip. KL Rahul (10) came back in the next over bowled by Marco Johnson. Aidan Markram caught on slip on Johnson’s full delivery. Pujara and Kohli, who later merged at the crease, defended beautifully. An extra 17 runs helped India increase their lead.
Bumrah took five wickets
South Africa were 176 for three at the start of the third session. But Bumrah took four wickets to put Peterson out. His innings consisted of 9 boundaries. Peterson is also South Africa’s top scorer. Cheteshwar Pujara was caught by the player on the slip. Kagiso Rabada (15), who was at the crease with Peterson, was caught by Shardul Thakur Bumra. Bumrah then took five wickets, dismissing Lungi Ngidi (3).
Shami’s arrival in the second session
At the start of the second session, the hosts lost Razi van der Dawson. Virat Kohli catches Umesh on a slip. Themba Bauma (28), who later teamed up with Keegan, created jobs for the Indian bowlers. A few Indian bowlers sweated a little against the two who were firmly on the crease. But Muhammad Shami gave the break through. Booma’s slip was sent into the hands of the Colts. In the same over, wicketkeeper Kyle Verine (0) returned to the pavilion. This time it was wicketkeeper Rishabh who caught the ball. Just before tea, Bumra returned Johnson (7).
The start of the second day was great
South Africa started the second day at 17 for one. Aidan Markram (8) was the first to miss today. Unable to add a single run to the previous day’s score, the batsman returned the ball to Bumra. Keshav Maharaj, 25, who was in Crisil as a night watchman, returned home after completing his assignment. He was bowled by Umesh Yadav. Captain Dean Elgar (3) was sent back by Bumrah yesterday.
Virat Kohli leads the army
Captain Virat Kohli’s 79 led India to a respectable score. Kagiso Rabada, who took four wickets, was instrumental in the visitors’ collapse. Marco Johnson took three wickets. Cheteshwar Pujara (43) is another leading scorer for India. KL Rahul (12), Mayank Agarwal (15), Ajinkya Rahane (9), Rishabh Pant (27), R Ashwin (2) and Shardul Thakur (12) were the other notable contributors. Jaspreet Bumra (0) and Mohammad Shami (0) are the other outfielders.
Two changes in the team
Earlier, India came out with two changes. When Kohli returned from injury, the way out for Hanuma Vihari was clear. Mohammad Siraj, who was injured during the second Test, was also ruled out. Umesh Yadav has joined the team. Both have won one Test each in the three-match series. Winners in Cape Town can win the series.
Team India: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Jaspreet Bumra, Umesh Yadav.
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aidan Markram, Keegan Peterson, Razi van der Dawson, Themba Bauma, Kyle Verrain, Marco Johnson, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Duane Oliver, Lungi Ngidi.
Last Updated Jan 13, 2022 9:49 PM IST
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