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

A dramatic day at the Wanderers culminated with an unexpected climax. A brave batting rendition from India helped them take an upper hand in the game and they posted a very tricky 241-run target for the hosts. Chasing this big total, the Proteas have already lost a wicket that of opener Aiden Markram.

Whilst the debate was primarily over the peculiar pitch behaviour, rain gods were the uninvited guests as it poured down in Johannesburg to end the day’s play. Earlier in the day, Murali Vijay was welcomed with a nasty blow on his head. Although India lost wickets at regular intervals, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar stood up with some priceless contributions.

Mohammed Shami blasted a few big ones towards the end, which propelled India to 247 in their second innings. Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, and Morne Morkel returned with three wickets each for the hosts. The game is firmly tilted towards the visitors’ favour, but one can never predict anything against the South Africans. Here are the five talking points from the third day, which was filled with action and drama.

1. Where is the game heading?

The biggest question lurking around the corner, where is the game heading? Will the teams consent to come out on day 4 and induce a result or will they prioritize players’ safety over the game, everything is a question mark right now. Also, according to the “Law 6.4.4”, no repairs can be made to the pitch. Various senior cricketers have mixed opinions on this, whilst a few feel the game should go on, the others feel the umpires should call it off.

2. A brave batting display from India

During the Indian innings, Nasser Hussain tweeted praising the courage displayed by the Indians to bat on this track. Some vicious bouncers, precariously whistling past the ears or missing the helmet by a whisker kept troubling the batters right through the day but, they hung on beautifully. The pitch was getting all the more tricky to bat on, but India still managed to score 60 runs more than what they did in their first innings.

3. Ajinkya Rahane back amongst the runs

After all the debates and arguments surrounding Rahane’s exclusion, the 29-year-old chipped in with a gem of a knock. He stitched a brilliant partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar towards the end, which indeed was priceless. This is exactly what the team missed in the previous two games, a stable middle order batsman with a resolute technique. Rahane’s inclusion ticked that box and made a 48-run difference in the target.

4. Dropping catches won’t let you win matches!

Well, this is the alternative for the commonly used phrase “Catches win matches!”. South Africa, quite ironically, were dreadful with their catching. As many as three catches went down. Virat Kohli was awarded a life in the 28th over by Markram, which really was a half chance. But Dean Elgar and Phehlukwayo dropped a catch each in a span of seven balls, which very clearly demoralized the hosts. Elgar spilled a catch in the slip cordon off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whilst Phehlukwayo put down Rahane at third man.

5. Drama towards the end

Chasing the 241-run target, Dean Elgar was hit on the helmet by a brilliant bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah. To be honest, the pitch didn’t misbehave at that point, Elgar had misjudged the bounce. But still, the Match referee came on to the field to discuss the future of this game. After that, Virat and Faf du Plessis, the two skippers had a chat with the umpires. All the discussions then shifted to the match referee’s room and amidst all this, a drizzle came in out of nowhere to uproot the stumps.