SA vs IND 3rd Test: It was one of the toughest pitch to score runs: Cheteshwar Pujara
Updated - 24 Jan 2018, 11:30 PM
With the way India’s batting capitulated in the first two Tests even on quite easy wickets, the hopes of seeing a revival from the Indian batting lineup were very slim even before the start of the match after the hosts hinted that the pitch for the third Test would be pacer friendly. The slim hopes took a further blow when Virat Kohli surprisingly decided to bat first on a pitch which perhaps looked more greener than some of the outfields of Indian grounds.
And the apprehensions only elevated after India’s openers failed to provide the team with a good start once again. KL Rahul was sent back by Vernon Philander even before he could open his account while Murali Vijay once again fell cheaply after going for an expensive drive as India found themselves reeling at 13 for 2.
The Proteas also gave Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara their share of troubles but unlike the openers, the duo managed to cling on and went on to register fighting fifties. Lungi Ngidi dismissed Kohli for 54 which brought Ajinkya Rahane to the crease. The comeback man, however, failed to deliver on the expected lines, falling for just 9.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Parthiv Patel then steadied the ship with a 31-run stand before the hosts brought snatched the momentum once again by taking the last six wickets for just 43 runs as India were all out for just 187 from 144 for 4.
After yet another poor batting display, perhaps the only positive came for India towards the fag end of the day when Bhuvneshwar Kumar complemented his 30-run knock by dismissing Aiden Markram for just 2 to give the visitors a promising start. Bhuvneshwar and Jasprit Bumrah threatened to take more wickets, but Dean Elgar and Kagiso Rabada managed to hold on.
Cheteshwar Pujara at the end of day one said:
“This is one of the toughest wickets I have ever played on.”
“It was difficult to score runs, especially initially in the first session. It was difficult to rotate the strike,” he continued.“There was a lot of bounce, it has seam movement, and there is enough pace.”
“We had to work hard to score runs but with the total we have, that’s as good as getting 300 on any wicket.”“If we bowl well, I think we’ll get them out. I think it was a good day for us. On this wicket you won’t be able to bat without getting beaten. I wouldn’t say it was a struggle … when you get beaten you have to accept it. To score a 50 on this pitch I think is a good knock.”
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Third Test
