SA Vs IND, 2018: Five Talking Points – Wanderers 3rd Test, Day Three
Updated - 26 Jan 2018, 10:31 PM
South Africa is chasing the target of 241, and the side was 17 for one in 8.3 overs when play was stopped after the ‘well-directed’ bouncer of Jasprit Bumrah struck the visor of the left-handed batsman, Dean Elgar, before physio rushed to the ground to see the struggling batsman.
The incident further witnessed both captains; Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli alongside umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar discussed with the match referee Andy Pycroft.
Earlier, India was bowled out on 247 runs in 80.1 overs after resuming from the overnight score of 49 for one when KL Rahul and Murali Vijay were batting.
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SA vs IND, 2018: Five Talking Points – Navigation Wanderers Test
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ajinkya Rahane’s partnership
- Monster Wanderers:
- Mohammed Shami’s cameo:
- Timid approach from South Africa:
- Early breakthrough for India:
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Talking Points of the day three at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ajinkya Rahane’s partnership:
After India was reeling at 148 for six in 53.1 overs when Hardik Pandya was caught and bowled on four by Kagiso Rabada which further set the onus on Ajinkya Rahane, who came as the replacement for Rohit Sharma for the final Test.
For the seventh-wicket, Rahane and Bhuvneshwar added vital 55 runs which further saw the hosts’ bowlers dropping off the shoulders during the spells.
Rahane scored 48 off 68 balls while smashing six boundaries.
At times, the right-handed batsman Rahane seemed to bat on a different surface when he was scoring almost run-a-ball in the middle.
On the other side, Bhuvneshwar has been spectacular with the willow as well. The impressive right-handed batsman faced 76 balls for his 33 runs.
Having the patience, Bhuvneshwar further shouldered the arms to leave the outside off deliveries on a surface which has worried the batsmen due to the inconsistent bounce.
The Bidvest Wanderers pitch has been the focus of attention, and the bounce off the surface has witnessed batsmen grappling with the situation from time-to-time.
On the third day, the cracks further opened and the former Windies paceman Michael Holding was disgusted while deeming the surface dangerous alongside former Proteas batter Kepler Wessels.
The controversy regarding the Wanderers pitch has already seen the on-field umpires twice discussing the pitch condition.
The drama unfolded more when Dean Elgar received a vicious right into the visor which saw both umpires discussing the matter before Andy Pycroft made his appearance on the fielding before both skippers were called in for the discussion behind the third eye.
Mohammed Shami played a significant role late in the order. The right-handed batter has frustrated the Proteas bowlers while aiming for the slog shots.
Shami scored 27 off 28 balls. He smashed two sixes and a boundary to knit crucial runs for the team in the second innings alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Shami was dismissed at India’s score of 238 in 74.4 overs for the eighth wicket.
However, Shami was caught by AB de Villiers on the bowling of Lungi Ngidi after registering the 19-run partnership with Bhuvneshwar.
Timid approach from South Africa:
Pertinently, the South Africa bowlers dropped as many as two catches in particular of Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who went on to steady the ship and put India somewhat in command on one of the toughest pitches the world cricket has witnessed.
The hosts’ bowlers failed to eke out wickets while trying too much which further saw the visitors tail-enders making most of the opportunities at times.
Even though, the premium bowlers in the form of Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, and Morne Morkel bagged three wickets each, but failed to contain the batsmen and went on to leak the crucial runs where the visiting side fought-out bravely.
When South Africa was chasing down the daunting total of 241 on a surface which had witnessed a fresh controversy owing to the ‘dangerous’ Wanderers surface during the third session of the day three when Mohammed Shami drew the first blood.
On the final delivery of South Africa’s second innings, opening batsman Aiden Markram was caught by gloveman Parthiv Patel on four off seven balls.
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