Wriddhiman Saha, Indian National Cricket Team
Wriddhiman Saha. (Credit: BCCI)

Team India are now just two wickets away from whitewashing South Africa for the first time in a Test series. Leading the three-match series 2-0, the hosts have all but sealed the ongoing third Test in Ranchi too. The beleaguered visitors were all out for just 162 after resuming their first innings on 9 for 2 on day three in reply to India’s 497-9 declared.

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Asked to follow-on, South Africa did not show much resistance in the second innings either and finished the day on a precarious 132 for 8. It looked like India would wrap up the game inside three days after reducing the Proteas to 36 for 5. However, debutant George Linde (27), Dane Piedt (23), Theunis de Bruyn (30no) – a concussion replacement for Dean Elgar – Kagiso Rabada (12) and Anrich Nortje (5no) made sure that the game extend to the fourth day.

Almost everything went India’s way on day three of the game. The only setback that they received was an injury to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. The India star walked off the field after a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery hit him on his fingertips. The incident took place in the 27th over of South Africa’s second innings.

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As soon as the ball hit him, Saha removed his gloves and his ring finger was already bandaged. He did not take any further risk and walked away from the field. Rishabh Pant then came out to replace Saha behind the stumps. The new rule allows a team to replace a ‘keeper with another ‘keeper which was not possible before.

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There are still no concrete update on whether Wriddhiman Saha will be able to keep the wickets or not on the fourth day. The BCCI, in their update, stated that a final call will be taken on the ‘keeper in morning.

“Wriddhiman Saha had a ball impact on his right ring finger. He is being treated and is doing well. He will be assessed tomorrow morning,” stated BCCI in their press release.

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