India vs South Africa news: Mohammed Shami puts the visitors in driver's seat after 18 wickets fall on Day 3

With the whole second day lost to rain, Centurion practically made up for the time lost with the most wickets the ground has produced in a day of Test cricket, 18. India resumed at 273/3 after day 1 heroics from KL Rahul. However, India did not start in the same fashion as they left on day 1. The visitors suffered a batting collapse, losing 7 wickets for just 54 runs and ending the Indian batting at 327. However, the Indian bowling attack was on fire from the first over. Jasprit Bumrah – limped off the field due an ankle sprain – and Mohammed Shami were at their very best. Shami picked up a fifer while Bumrah, who only managed to only get in 7 overs, took 2 crucial wickets to get things going for the visitors. At the end of the day’s play, South Africa were all-out for 197 and the Indian batting got their 2nd innings off to a nervy start, losing Mayank Agarwal early. India are 16/1 and lead by 146 runs heading into day 4.

Stumps on Day 3 of the 1st Test.#TeamIndia 327 and 16/1, lead South Africa (197) by 146 runs.

Scorecard – https://t.co/eoM8MqSQgO #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/CZrptKnPi8

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 28, 2021

INDIA IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT AFTER SHAMI-BUMRAH WRECK HAVOC

Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi caused the havoc earlier on, hitting the pitch hard and drawing the inconsistent bounce. Ngidi ended with his second six-wicket bag in Centurion. However, with the sun shining down and the ball moving all around, the Indian bowlers also made the most of it. The lethal combination of Bumrah-Shami picked up four wickets in the first 13 overs before the pitch settled down enough for South Africa to recover from 32 for 4 to 197.

As early as the first over, Bumrah produced an unplayable delivery to send back captain Dean Elgar. In the half hour that India had before lunch, they looked to swing the ball, but didn’t find much. They came back a mean machine. Next, Keegan Peterson was clean bowled by Shami as South Africa lost their second wicket right after the lunch break. 3 overs later, Shami struck again, sending Markram back to the dressing room as he cleaned him up. By the end of session 2, South Africa were struggling at 109/5. 

Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock steadied the South African innings as they added 72 for the fourth wicket, which made sure they get somewhere close to the visitor’s score. Rabada and debutant Marco Jansen added 37 for the eighth wicket, managing to make it look easy, but Shardul Thakur produced the much-needed breakthrough. Shami had Rabada for his five-for, his 200th wicket. 

In the half hour possible before stumps, Jansen managed to get the wicket of Mayank Agarwal, with India ending the day at 16 for 1 and leading by 146 runs. India now hold all the keys to dominating the match, provided no further weather interruptions in the remaining two days.