SA vs Ind 2nd Test, Day 3: AB de Villiers' 50 takes Proteas to 90-2 at stumps
Centurion: Day three of the second Test match between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park here on Monday came to a disappointing end as rain and bad light played a part on most of the day.
After having resumed the day on 183-5, India were bowled out for 307, courtesy a well-played innings of 153 by Virat Kohli.
In reply, Jasprit Bumrah took the early South African wickets, that of Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla.
However, an 87-run partnership between Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers brought the hosts back into the game, ending the day at 90-2.
AB de Villiers, meanwhile, got to his 42nd Test half-century, soon after which bad light had halted play again.
Things did not seem to improve, after play was halted for more than half an hour, and soon it was officially declared stumps on the third day.
Weather update
Not so good news again, as bad light has stopped play. The players make their way back to the pavilion.
And now they are off for light. Play has been stopped here after 29 overs of the SA innings #SAvIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/wDyf160BVg
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 15, 2018
Weather update
GOOD NEWS! The play will resume in about 10 minutes from now, and could have an extended session provided the weather permits.
Update - Play to resume at 16:20 local time if there is no more rain. No overs lost and play to go on until half past six - light permitting #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/mSodYev5mz
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2018
Centurion: The play has been halted at SuperSport Park here because of rain. Not so good news, as the covers have come on, which has taken the players back to the pavilion.
The situation right now at Supersport Park. The covers are still on but the heavy downpour has settled into a light drizzle. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/ZpLVfaeBqB
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 15, 2018
Here come the covers as lightening and rain stops play. SA are 68/2 at this stage and lead by 96. De Villiers 35*, Elgar 29* #ProteaFire #SAvsIND #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/NXTDztqgul
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 15, 2018
South Africa were looking in command, safter having taken a 96-run lead. AB de Villiers is currently batting on 35, whereas Dean Elgar is not out on 29.
Jasprit Bumrah has been the lone wicket-taker for India in this innings, having taken the wickets of openers Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla.
Tea break report
South Africa got off to a mixed start in their second innings, as they lost two wickets in the first five overs.
Jasprit Bumrah was the wicket-taker on both occasion, removing Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla.
However, following Amla’s dismissal, the duo of AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar have put up a 57-run partnership so far.
The Proteas are currently at 60-2, having taken a lead of 88 runs.
That ends the second session on day 3 at Centurion. Good fightback from SA after they were 3/2. @ABdeVilliers17 has 33*, @deanelgar 23* #ProteaFire #SAvsIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/P4TmAa3rbV
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 15, 2018
AB de Villiers (33 runs) and Dean Elgar (23) will look to give a tough time for the Indian bowlers in the final session, when the play resumes after tea.
South Africa 2nd Innings
South Africa 3-2 from 5.3 overs
WICKET! Jasprit Bumrah has removed dangerman Hashim Amla, as the Proteas continue to suffer. Huge blow for the hosts.
South Africa 1/1 from 1 over
WICKET! Markaram departs as South Africa lose their first wicket, Jasprit Bumrah provides the breakthrough.
India 1st innings
India were bowled out for 307 in their first innings, as Morne Morkel got the final wicket of Virat Kohli. Kohli was the lone fighter in the visitors’ innings, having scored 153.
South Africa currently have a 29-run lead, and will hope to put up a big total on board.
However, the other two batsmen who showed some fighting effort were Murali Vijay (46) and Ravichandran Ashwin (38).
For the hosts, Morkel finished his spell with four wickets, whereas Keshav Maharaj, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi got one wicket each.
India 306 from 91.1 overs
WICKET! Virat Kohli departs, Morne Morkel gets his fourth wicket. Kohli comes down the track to hit the length ball over bowlers head, but hi it into hands of AB Devilliers at long on
India 306-9 from 91 overs
WICKET! Ishant Sharma dismissed by Morne Morkel, caught by Markaram at first leg slip.
Centurion: Virat Kohli continued his positive run in the second Test match against South Africa, with an unbeaten knock of 141 during the first session on Day 3 here on Monday.
India have posted 185-8, and currently trail the Proteas by 48 runs.
Kohli, starting his innings on 85, got to his 21st Test ton in style, but soon lost Hardik Pandya for 15 runs.
However, Kohli, along with Ravichandran Ashwin, have put up a 71-run partnership so far.
Ashwin, too, put up a good show, having scored 38 runs.
However, the Proteas were right back in the game, having taken the wickets of Ashwin and Mohammed Shami.
India 281-8 from 83 overs
WICKET! Mohammed Shami has just been dismissed by Morne Morkel, as Hashim Amla takes a good catch at first slip.
India 281-7 from 81.3 overs
WICKET! R Ashwin has been dismissed by Vernon Philander for 38, and a promising innings comes to an end.
India 209-6 from 67.1 overs
WICKET! Hardik Pandya has been run-out by Vernon Philander, as South Africa have broken the Kohli-Pandya partnership. Huge blow for India.
India 207-5 from 66.1 overs
CENTURY! Virat Kohli has just scored his 21st Test century, as India have gone past 200.
Preview
India captain Virat Kohli and his current batting partner Hardik Pandya will hope to put up a strong partnership when the visitors resume their batting on Day three of the second Test here on Monday.
It was a day of mixed fortunes for Virat Kohli’s side. After having bowled out Faf du Plessis’ side for 335, the Men in Blue have posted a total of 183-5 in reply, with Virat Kohli having found his form back with an unbeaten 85. He is currently involved in a 19-run stand with Hardik Pandya, who is batting on 11.
It was a memorable outing for Lungi Ngidi on Sunday, as he picked up his first ever Test wicket, that of Parthiv Patel.
Apart from Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Keshav Maharaj has one wicket each.
India are currently trailing South Africa by 152 runs, and the current partnership will be a crucial one for the visitors, if they are to inch any closer to Proteas’ total.