3rd Test, India vs South Africa Day 2 preview: South Africa desperate for wickets on second day, as India go top again

3rd Test, India vs South Africa Day 2 preview: South Africa desperate for wickets on second day, as India go top again

Rohit Sharma India

India are making a habit of this. It was another day in the series where they batted South Africa out of any semblance of confidence they might have had. Rohit Sharma was once again in the thick of it, scoring his third century of the series, and Ajinkya Rahane partnered him in an unbroken 185-run stand as India posted a daunting 224/3 by the time stumps were draw on the first day in Ranchi.

That could have been more, in fact. Had bad light not stopped play, Rohit and Rahane would quite likely have kept batting. The light factor put an end to South Africa’s misery, but it was all so different to how the day began for the visitors. After their mauling in Pune, South Africa seemed determined to put forward a better account of themselves, and they did initially, when their young pace attack came together to shine.

This despite the visitors losing a 10th consecutive toss in the sub-continent, although it’s not too outlandish to suggest the results in the series wouldn’t have been different had they won the tosses. Even so, when Kagiso Rabada had the dangerous Mayank Agarwal dismissed in the fifth over, and followed it up with the big scalp of Cheteshwar Pujara for nought three overs later.

When Anrich Nortje then had India captain Virat Kohli sent back for 12, India were 39/3 and seemingly in a lot of trouble. South Africa were absolutely buzzing at this point – Lungi Ngidi did his bit to keep the pressure up, even though he didn’t take a wicket – and it seemed they had finally some sort of foothold in a series. However, such is the might of India, and such has been the story of the series, South Africa let the position slip.

Rohit weathered the storm and accelerated. Rahane was superb from the moment he came to the middle. And South Africa were soon back in trouble. Rohit hit the most sixes by a batsman in a Test series this year (17). Rahane scored his fastest half-century in a home Test. And they brought up the highest four-wicket stand for India against South Africa. A lot more runs are expected come Sunday.

However, for all that, South Africa will have some hope. India are still not out of reach. A couple of early wickets on Sunday morning could help them get into the lower order, irrespective of their significant quality with the bat. That is what South Africa will hope for at least.  If they don’t do that, it could be another long day in a series full of them for the visitors.

Key players

Ajinkya Rahane (India): While all of Rohit, Agarwal and Kohli have taken the plaudits this series, Rahane has flown under the radar. He’s made a couple of small but good contributions, but you increasingly get the feeling his time is now. After his troubles in Test cricket the last two years, this will be much-deserved.  

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): The paceman remains the most potent force in the South African attack, and if they are to undo this relentless Indian batting line-up, they need him to continue firing. Will he add to his two wickets tomorrow? It remains to be seen, but his efforts will make for intriguing viewing.

Prediction

Expect India to continue coasting in the series, perhaps with another big one from Rohit.