SA vs IND: Stumps! India 16/1
They lead by 146 runs. First innings centurion KL Rahul is in the middle on five runs while Shadul Thakur, who was sent in as nightwatchman, has scored four. South Africa have an uphill task to say the least to even stay in this Test, unless there is an epic collapse from India tomorrow.
17 wickets have fallen today, which is the most that have ever fallen on a single day at SuperSport Park. A Test series in South Africa tends to be a battle of the bowlers and that trend has held up thus far. The Indian bowlers, coupled with a comparatively better performance from the batters, meant that the visitors are well ahead in the match.
Earlier Shardul Thakur struck at tea stroke to break a growing partnership with Quinton de Kock as South Africa struggled to 109/5, still trailing by 218 runs on the third day of the first Test at Centurion. Temba Bavuma was fourth on 31 and was joined by Viaan Mulder as India dominated the season.
Resuming the session at 21/1, Keegan Pietersen started in style with a boundary off Mohammed Shami, who later bowled him in the over after being dismissed at the stumps of South Africa’s No. Pietersen scored 15 runs.
However, India soon lost Jasprit Bumrah, who twisted his ankle in his followthrough and was thrown off the field. He missed most of the season, although in encouraging news, the pacer returned later but did not bowl.
An India bowler fell short as Bumrah lost to an ankle sprain, but India didn’t miss him much, Shami producing a peach to defeat dangerman Aiden Markram on 13.
Mohammad Siraj drives Rasi van der Dussen (3) to a draw on the front foot and takes a catch in the street with Ajinkya Rahane. South Africa stumbled to 32/4 after being dismissed.
However, de Kock joined hands with Bavuma to ride through the storm as the pair put on 72 runs for the fifth wicket. De Kock also launched Ravichandran Ashwin for a six and the pair looked set to end the session with no further losses.
However, Shardul inspired a lazy shot from de Kock, who guided the ball over the stumps, thanks to an inside edge to run back for 34.
Brief Scores: South Africa 109/5 (Quinton de Kock 34, Temba Bavuma 31*; Mohammed Shami 2/16) India trail by 327 by 218 runs.