3rd Test, India vs South Africa Day 3 preview: India need 18 wickets in Ranchi gloom

3rd Test, India vs South Africa Day 3 preview: India need 18 wickets in Ranchi gloom

Rohit Sharma India

Virat Kohli had an eye on the light, which was why he did not even wait for the over before tea to get over or for India to reach 500. He declared on 497/9. When South Africa resumed, Mohammed Shami (1/0) and Umesh Yadav (1/4) took out Dean Elgar (0) and Quinton de Kock (4) to leave them reeling at 8/2 after 2 overs.

But the light quickly faded. Even after Kohli replaced both his fast bowlers after an over apiece, the spinners could bowl only 3 more overs before Zubayr Hamza (0*) and Faf du Plessis (1*) walked away. They are still 488 behind – a mountain that seems almost insurmountable at this point, though the light may come to their aid from time to time. Only 121.3 overs have been bowled in the first two days.

Resuming on 224/3, Rohit Sharma (212) and Ajinkya Rahane (115) took the score to 306 before the latter was caught behind by Heinrich Klaasen off George Linde (4/133) – both of whom are debuting here. Rohit, 199 at lunch, continued with the onslaught before hooking Kagiso Rabada (3/85) to deep fine leg.

Wriddhiman Saha batted brightly for his 24 before Linde bowled him through the gate. Ravindra Jadeja (51) got to his fifty before edging one behind, once again off Linde, while R Ashwin (14) was stumped off Dane Piedt (1/101).

But the innings was far from over. Umesh Yadav (31 in 10) launched a furious onslaught, hitting sixes off the first 2 balls he faced and 5 off the first 8 to take India close to 500.

Key players

Shahbaz Nadeem (India): It took Nadeem 15 years of toil in First-Class cricket to break through. He bowled 2 tight overs here before bad light stopped play, but on a pitch where the ball is spinning significantly, he will play a role.

Zubayr Hamza (South Africa): Like Nadeem, Hamza, too, is debuting here. Time and again has the South African top order caved in during this series, which is something Hamza will look forward to change here.

Brief scores

India 497/9 decl. (Rohit Sharma 212, Ajinkya Rahane 115; George Linde 4/133, Kagiso Rabada 3/85) lead South Africa 9/2 (Quinton de Kock 4; Mohammed Shami 1/0) by 488 runs.

Prediction

India to bowl out South Africa and – if time permits – ask them to bat again.