Elgar remained unbeaten on 46 as South Africa need 122 more runs to level the Test series against India.
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South Africa captain Dean Elgar (46 not out) showed resilience to put his side in cruise control at 118/2 as umpires called it a day on Day 3 of the second Test against India at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Wednesday. The opener paced his innings cautiously as he utilized 121 deliveries and hit two boundaries to remain unbeaten. He will resume the penultimate day with Rassie van der Dussen (11 not out) at crease with the home side with a chance to level the series.
Opening the batting, South Africa lost Aiden Markram (31) and Keegan Petersen (28), in a strong start which duly tested the formidable Indian bowling line-up. Markram smashed four boundaries in his knock while Petersen’s innings was laced up with four hits to the fence.
That’s Stumps on Day 3 of the second #SAvIND Test!
South Africa move to 118/2 at the close of play & need 122 runs more.
We will see you tomorrow for Day 4 action.
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/b3aaGXmBg9 pic.twitter.com/YhHvV165cY
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2022
Stand-in captain KL Rahul utilized his five options to restrict South Africa in the chase of 240 runs. However, on-song India fast bowler Shardul Thakur and spin star Ravichandran Ashwin, were the only two to find the breakthroughs on Day 3.
Incidentally, lead Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah bowled 10 overs while Mohammed Shami chipped in with nine, but failed to find a wicket. Bumrah also failed to keep the flow of runs in control as he leaked it at an economy rate of 4.20. Mohammed Siraj, meanwhile, was utlized for four overs but failed to make his ball do the talking.
Earlier, under-fire India Test specialist Ajinkya Rahane (58) and Cheteshwar Pujara (53), sparked form as they forged an important partnership after resuming the day at 85/2. Rahane smashed eight boundaries and one hit over the fence in his innings while Pujara hit 10 boundaries in his 86-ball knock.
However, after their dismissals, Hanuma Vihari (40 not out) played a key innings to help India reach a respectable total with cameos from Ashwin (16) and Shardul Thakur (28) helping the cause. The visitors were bowled out for 266 runs in the second innings with Siraj being the last wicket to fall to premier fast bowler Lungi Ngidi.
Ngidi, incidentally, was also the pick of the bowlers for South Africa in the second innings as he returned figures of 3/43. Young fast bowler Marco Jansen picked up a three-wicket haul but conceded 67 runs in his 17 overs spell with star pacer Kagiso Rabada also picking up three wickets.
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