South Africa vs India, 2nd Test, Day 3- 5 Talking Points

Despite a solid start to the day from India, South Africa nudged ahead of the visitors on the third day of the second Test. AB de Villiers’ quick fifty took the home team to a lead of 118 runs at the end of days’ play. With rain and bad light playing a spoilsport, the third day had to come to an end abruptly. Despite skipper Kohli’s unbeaten knock, there’s nothing much for the Indian team to cherish for the day.

Kohli who failed to make a mark of his own in the first Test capitalized the opportunity in the second game, he got to his 21st International hundred in Test cricket. Virat Kohli was the lone warrior as all the other Indian batsmen failed to convert their starts. However, with Ashwin’s support, the Indian team crossed the 300 mark. Despite a stunning knock from the Indian captain, India fell short of South Africa’s total by 28 runs.

Coming back to bat, the hosts lost quick wickets with Bumrah firing right away. However, Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers made sure to stabilize the home team’s second innings. AB de Villiers’ half-century helped the hosts lead the Indians by 118 runs. The duo – de Villiers and Dean Elgar added 87 runs before bad light and rain disturbed play. Here are some of the talking points of the day’s play.

1. Virat breaks Sachin’s record

Resuming to play from an overnight score of 183/5 along with Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli registered his first Test century in South Africa as skipper. Just as India got past the 200 mark, Kohli became the fourth fastest to reach 21 hundreds.

Virat’s heroics helped India get close to the hosts’ total but with all the other batsmen failing to perform yet again, they fell short of  South Africa’s score by 28 runs. His 21 hundreds came off in 109 innings, edging Sachin’s record by one. Kohli also became the second captain after Sachin to score a Test century in South Africa.

2. Hardik Pandya’s lazy running

Pandya’s sloppy and lazy running between the wickets came off as a surprise from the youngster. It can certainly be termed as the run-out that changed the course of the game. While batting on 15, Pandya looked for a sharp single hitting the ball to mid-on.

With Kohli rejecting the single, Hardik Pandya failed to make it by a mere inch. Despite having ample amount of time, Pandya’s overconfidence turned out as a huge blow for India.  A direct hit ran out Pandya who’s foot was in the air. This was a huge blow for India.

3. South Africa comeback with the new ball

Kohli and Ashwin were going strong, adding 71 runs after Pandya’s silly return. However, the new ball did the trick for the hosts. Just before Tea, South African seamers got the new ball. Vernon Philander sent Ashwin back to the Pavilion in his very first over with the new ball.

Philander’s brilliant delivery got Ashwin walking back after getting caught by the Proteas skipper. Coming to the crease following Ashwin’s wicket, Shami had to face a similar fate. Shami was caught of Morkel in the very next over when India was 48 runs behind South Africa’s score.

4. Bumrah strikes

Bumrah turned things for India just after the lower order crumbled. With no one supporting the skipper, Kohli stood unbeaten after scoring 153. Indians fell short by 28 runs at 307. After being handed over with the new ball, Bumrah didn’t take too long to strike.

His incredible bowling at the start delighted the Indian team. He sent back opener Markram and one down Amla in no time. But AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar steadied the ship for the hosts. They added 87 runs for the third wicket.

5. Rain disturbs play

When things weren’t going too well for the visitors, the rain gods interfered. ABD reached to his half-century and rain stopped play. Though the players got back to play in some time, they didn’t play for long. However, within this short period, the Indians miscued a catch. South African opener edged one but Parthiv and Pujara fumbled and dropped the golden opportunity away. The day was called off at the end of the 30th over of South Africa’s second innings.

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