Second Test, Centurion, Talking Points, South Africa Vs India 2018, Virat Kohli, Lungi Ngidi
Virat Kohli hold a key for visitors in the Centurion Test. Photo Credit: BCCI.

At stumps, on day three of the second Test in Centurion India post 183 for five in 61 overs and the visitors are trailing by 152 runs.

Skipper Virat Kohli is batting on 85 off 130 alongside Hardik Pandya, who faced 29 balls for his 11, as both register 19-run partnership for the sixth wicket after facing 45 balls.

Let’s have a look at the talking points of the day which saw the surface assisting:

Faf du Plessis’ morning resistance:

South African skipper Faf du Plessis-led from the front in the morning session on the day two as his fifty further saw the hosts going past the 300-run mark.

The Proteas innings was restricted at 335 in 113.5 overs, as the batsman faced 23.5 overs in the morning session.

The right-handed du Plessis scored 142-ball 63, as his innings was comprised of nine boundaries.

However, du Plessis got a beauty delivery by Ishant Sharma when South Africa’s score was 333 in 112.4 overs.

Virat Kohli – a big hope for India at Centurion:

Shouldering the responsibility, Virat Kohli-led from the front and remained unbeaten on 85 off 128 balls.

The right-handed batsman Kohli kept his end intact as he rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard moving. He registered eight boundaries in his could-be decisive knock.

Read More  IPL Live Streaming In India– When and Where To Watch RCB vs KKR Live In India? IPL 2024, Match 10

The 29-year-old batsman Kohli has fought-hard after 33 runs in the first two innings of the Cape Town Test.

Murali Vijay’s dismissal crucial:

The right-handed batsman Murali Vijay, who played a sensible knock 46 off 126 balls further, was dismissed by the left-arm orthodox spinner Keshav Maharaj after the catch was taken gloveman Quinton de Kock.

At one stage, India was reeling at 28 for two in 9.4 overs which subsequently saw Vijay alongside skipper Virat Kohli posted crucial 79 runs for the third wicket which came off 163 balls.

Lungi Ngidi’s brilliance saw Cheteshwar Pujara run out on nought

After KL Rahul was dismissed on the bowling of Morne Morkel, it was Cheteshwar Pujara who raced for a run but was found well short of his crease at the non-striker’s end courtesy brilliant direct hit from Lungi Nigidi.

The right-handed Rajkot-born batsman Pujara was facing the first-ball when he played the ball at mid-on region

Lungi Ngidi’s maiden Test wicket:

In his sixth over, the promising youngster got rid of wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel when the later was batting on 19.

The 32-year-old left-handed Patel faced 32 balls which further saw being him undone with a fine ball by the lanky 21-year-old fast bowler.

Read More  RCB Playing 11 vs KKR- IPL 2024, Match 10

The outside edge saw ball settling into the gloves of Quinton de Kock when the angled in and nipped away off the pitch to see Patel aiming for the defensive shot, but the edge further saw Ngidi being mobbed by his teammates for the debut Test wicket which on the fourth delivery of his six over during India’s 54th over.

Follow India’s tour of Rainbow Nation: South Africa Vs. India, 2018

Tahir Ibn Manzoor is the Editor-In-Chief at Cricket Addictor, who follows cricket like food and he has a great affection for the long-form journalism. He has been associated with the organisation since...