IND 180/8 in 59 overs: Rabada to Umesh. Umesh has a slash at a wide ball first up but misses. Next ball is full outside off and moves late after pitching, Umesh is beaten. Third ball is defended solidly. Fourth ball defended as well. Two more to go. GONE! Umesh is caught behind off the fifth. Now to Bumrah and Shami to keep Pant some company. Shami is in next. He survives the last ball.

IND 180/7 in 58 overs: Olivier to Pant. Four dot balls and Pant goes BOOM off the fifth! Slapped over long-on for six. Pulls the next ball to square leg for four. 10 off the over. India’s lead inches closer to 200. On the flip side, Umesh has been exposed to KG Rabada, who is back into the attack.

IND 170/7 in 57 overs: WICKET! Ngidi is bowling a dream spell – gets Thakur out caught behind. India collapsing now. Umesh joins Pant. What does Pant do now? Go all guns blazing? We will find out soon. Umesh will be on strike. He defends the first ball back to the bowler. Leaves the next one in the channel. Three more balls to go in the over. Umesh keeps out the last three balls.

IND 170/6 in 56 overs: Olivier to Thakur. Two slips and a gully. Thakur flays a cut behind square on off side for four. Valuable runs. Two dot balls later, Thakur tucks one towards the leg side for a single. Two dots to finish. Pant wanted a single off the last ball, came charging down the wicket but was sent back by Thakur, rightly so.

– DRINKS –

IND 165/6 in 55 overs: Ngidi to Pant. After solidly defending the first ball back to the bowler and hitting a drive to cover for no run, Pant flicks one through midwicket and collects two. Three dot balls follow. There have been 25 extras in this innings so far.

IND 163/6 in 54 overs: Olivier into the attack. Pant fends a short ball to the leg side for a single. Olivier to Thakur. The all-rounder plays five dot balls. Off the fourth ball, Thakur played a flick and the ball nearly carried to vd Dussen at midwicket.

IND 162/6 in 53 overs: Ngidi to Pant. Starts with one in the channel outside off and left alone by the southpaw. He drives the next ball through covers; the call is for ‘two’ but the batters settle for a single. OUT! Ashwin caught in the cordon.  That was full, outside off and Ashwin looked to drive on the up, edged straight to gully. Here comes Thakur. The lead is 175. Ngidi to Thakur. Three dots to end a successful over.

IND 161/5 in 52 overs: Jansen to Pant, nudged to fine leg for a single. Jansen to Ashwin, stabbed to point for no run. There’s a leg slip in place for Ashwin, who works one to backward square for one run. Pant collects another single with a flick to deep midwicket. Ashwin plays two dot balls.

IND 158/5 in 51 overs: Ngidi to Ashwin. The wicket seems to have eased down a bit. India would want at least 250 on the board. Ashwin collects a couple off the fifth – slashes hard at one outside off and the ball bounces off a leaping Markram’s hands. Fantastic effort. Ashwin lucky to be still out there. Just a couple from the over.

IND 156/5 in 50 overs: Jansen back into the attack. He bowls to Pant, no run. Well bowled by Jansen, equally well played by Pant. Jansen starts his new spell with a maiden. Will be interesting to see how Pant paces his innings now. Ashwin is no mug with the bat. There’s still Thakur to follow.

IND 156/5 in 49 overs: Ngidi to Pant, one run. GONE! Kohli caught at slip. Huge wicket! Great catch by Markram at slip. Kohli once again goes after a ball that’s well outside off and pays the price. Top knock but he will be gutted with the manner of his dismissal. Ashwin joins Pant. Ngidi to Ashwin, no run. There are three slips in place and a gully for Ashwin. SHOT! Ashwin off the mark with a lovely punch off the backfoot for four. Dot to finish.

IND 151/4 in 48 overs: Maharaj to Pant, SIX!  Slog swept over midwicket for a maximum as the lead crosses 150. Make that two in two as Pant dances down the track and launches one over long-off for six. There’s a hold up in play as the SA fielders look for the ball. We are set to resume. Pant collects a brace off the third ball, cut away through point. That’s 14 off the first three balls. Pant gets a single next ball. Kohli keeps out the last two balls. 15 from the over.

IND 136/4 in 47 overs: Ngidi to Pant, single first ball. Ngidi dangles one outside off stump and Kohli has a poke at it, play and a miss. Next ball, Ngidi finds awkward bounce as the ball hits Kohli’s bat handle. The fourth ball is back of a length in the channel of uncertainty and Kohli has no business playing at those. Two dot balls to finish.

IND 135/4 in 46 overs: Maharaj to Pant, a single off the second ball. Kohli plays four dot balls. Solid in defence. Just one from the over.

IND 134/4 in 45 overs: Ngidi to steam in from the other end. Kohli on strike. Two slips and a gully. Ngidi starts with a wide one outside off, left alone by Virat without any fuss. Back of a length next ball, just outside off but Kohli shoulders arms again. Kohli works the next ball off his pads for a single (1lb). Ngidi goes round the wicket to Pant, who defends a length ball solidly. Dot and a single to finish. Pant retains strike.

IND 132/4 in 44 overs: Maharaj to Pant. Slip and short leg in place. First ball into the rough outside off, spins and Pant defends. Takes a single next ball and gets off strike. Maharaj to Kohli, one run. There was a slip and leg slip in place for the Indian skipper. Couple of dots to finish.

Off we go. India 143 ahead. Pant to take strike after lunch. Maharaj to start the proceedings.

Welcome back for the post-lunch session. There’s a combative partnership brewing between Kohli and Pant. But they will be aware that the job isn’t half done. Pant will take confidence from his 50 while Kohli will look to continue in the same vein – unwavering focus. Time isn’t a factor in this Test. Both batters will know that this stand is the glue that holds the Indian innings together. Should be a fascinating two hours. Not losing a wicket in the first hour will be absolutely crucial from India’s perspective.

LUNCH – DAY 3 -INDIA 130/4 IN 43 OVERS, LEADS BY 143 RUNS

SESSION RECAP: Pant’s gutsy fifty and Kohli’s discipline have put India right back into the match after Pujara and Rahane departed in the first two overs of the day, leaving India at 58 for 4. Kohli and Pant took on the mantle from there on, Pant scoring a maiden Test fifty against South Africa off just 58 balls on a pitch that offered pace and bite. Kohli, contrastingly, showed exemplary discipline outside his off stump to grind out 28 runs in 127 balls and stem the flow of wickets. India heads into the second session with a lead of 143 runs and six wickets in hand. Back at 16-40 IST after the break. Stay tuned!

IND 130/4 in 43 overs: We’ll squeeze one more before Lunch. Jansen to Pant from over the wicket. A fuller length on and around off and Pant gets in line to defend. Sprayed on the pads and a couple for Pant at mid wicket and 50 for Pant, off 58 balls.  A crucial one and a first against the Proteas in Tests. Nudges one on the pads to fine leg for a single. Kohli to face the last ball before Lunch. Kohli drives straight back to Jansen for a dot. Lunch!

IND 127/4 in 42 overs: Pant is receiving some treatment for his left hand. He seems to have copped one on that bounced awkwardly. Last over probably before Lunch. Strides forward to tap one on the off side. SIX! Pant steps out and gets to the pitch of the ball and clears the ropes over long on. Dances down again but drives it to short mid on, who does well to keep it to a dot ball. Pant gets a single at mid wicket. Kohli defends off the backfoot to end the over.

IND 120/4 in 41 overs: Had him in trouble with that one! Jagged into Pant from a length with awkward bounce and gets his bottom edge and to the ground. Pant takes a single next ball with a tuck down leg side. Kohli defends on the off before leave a couple of short ones outside off.

IND 119/4 in 40 overs: Maharaj continues. Gets it to turn into Pant from outside off and he works it for a single at square leg. Driven by Kohli for one more at long off. Pant steps out and collects a single at long on. The runs are gradually coming for more ease as the lead swells to 132 runs.

IND 116/4 in 39 overs: Jansen replaces Rabada. Pant swivels and pulls along the ground for a single at square leg after defended two good length deliveries on the off. The partnership now worth 58 runs in 120 balls. Jansen comes with the angle from round the wicket to Kohli. Three dots to end the over.

IND 115/4 in 38 overs: Maharaj into the attack for some spin. Over-pitched on off stump first up and Pant drives straight to mid off. FOUR!Maharaj keeps it tight on the stumps only to give a freebie on the pads on the last ball and Kohli flicks it behind for an easy boundary.

IND 110/4 in 37 overs: Length outside off from Rabada. It doesn’t rise much as gets Pant’s bottom edge on the cut to point for a single. Eight-ball over as Rabada oversteps twice in the over. Has to load the last one again which Kohli deposits for a FOUR! down to fine leg with a tuck off his hips. Frustrating for Rabada.

IND 103/4 in 36 overs: Jansen replaces Olivier. Comes over the wicket to Pant. Short and wide outside off and Pant slaps it behind point for a couple. 100 up for India in 35.2 overs. Three singles and a dot to end the over.

IND 98/4 in 35 overs: Rabada back into the attack. Length on leg stump to Pant and he hops to defend. No-ball for overstepping. Full on the pads and flicked behind square for a single. Kohli continues to show his eagerness to leave outside off, doing so on three of the remaining four balls of the over.

IND 96/4 in 34 overs: FOUR! Crunched! Pant steps out to Olivier and drills it through the covers for a cracking boundary. Length outside off and Pant tucks it off his hips on leg side for a single. A springy bouncer that goes high over Kohli and well-stopped by Verreynne behind the stumps. Kohli leaves the last one alone outside off.

IND 91/4 in 33 overs: Ngidi continues in the channel and Kohli continues to shoulder arms. This one is fuller on off and Kohli defends on the front foot. Well-driven but it goes straight to extra cover for another dot ball. Kohli won’t have anything of what is fed him outside off.

IND 91/4 in 32 overs: Olivier to Kohli after the break. The first is full on leg stump and Kohli flicks straight to mid wicket. A sweetly timed straight-drive but Olivier skillfully sticks out his right leg to stop it with his boot. Length sliding down leg and Kohli tucks it to fine leg for a single and keeps strike.

DRINKS – DAY 3 SESSION 1 – INDIA 90/4 IN 31 OVERS, LEADS BY 103 RUNS

IND 90/4 in 31 overs: Pant flicks it off his toes through mid wicket and take three runs. The lead is now 102 runs. Beaten! A fuller length on off stump with the angle and straightens away to beat Kohli’s outside edge. A single for Kohli to fine leg. A tentative prod outside off to end the over.

IND 86/4 in 30 overs: Olivier to Pant. Over the wicket. Pant tucks one on leg for a single after two dots to start with. Kohli continues to show good discipline in the channel area, leaving and defending well.

IND 85/4 in 29 overs: Pant gets a single off the first ball with a tuck down to square leg. FOUR LEG-BYES! Down the leg-side and Kohli misses the flick as it runs down behind off the pads. Kohli shouldering arms to length balls outside off to end the over.

IND 80/4 in 28 overs: Double change for South Africa as Olivier comes from the other end. Kohli defends the first couple of balls. A sharp bouncer follows and Kohli leans out of it very late. Three more dots to end the over as Kohli denies with his solid defence. Maiden over.

IND 80/4 in 27 overs: Ngidi replaces Rabada. Pant flicks the first one off his toes but well-fielder at mid wicket for a dot ball. Stung him! It nipped back in off a length and jammed into Pant abdomen, who shouldered arms. FOUR! Full outside off and beautifully driven by Pant through the covers.

IND 76/4 in 26 overs: Serenely driven by Pant off Jansen for a couple at deep mid wicket. This one is dug out through covers by Pant for two more. A fuller one on the leg is tucked away by Pant for a single at mid on. Bouncer down leg side to Kohli to end the over.

IND 71/4 in 25 overs: Pant collects a single at square leg off Rabada. Some biting swing! It moved away off a length outside off and missed Kohli’s bat, which went fetching for it.

IND 70/4 in 24 overs: Extra bounce and trouble again as it goes off the splice of the bat and loops a bit to land next to him. Kohli does well to get his bottom hand off to keep it down. Jansen keeps Kohli on his toes, going back of length and on the stumps.

IND 70/4 in 23 overs: FOUR! Pant cuts loose! Short on leg from Rabada and Pant pulls to the square leg boundary. Correct his line, goes with length on middle stump and Pant defends with hop. A couple more for Pant between fine leg and square leg. FOUR! This one is short and outside off and Pant slaps this over cover off the backfoot for another boundary.

IND 60/4 in 22 overs: Kohli leaves the first three balls from Jansen in the channel with diligence. A couple of bouncers to end the over as Kohli ducks under the.

IND 60/4 in 21 overs: Rabada comes from over the wicket to Pant. Outside off and left alone. This one is closer to off stump and Pant defends from his crease. Maiden over and Pant exhibiting good discipline. He is happy to shoulder arms outside off and defends when it is closer to off stump.

IND 60/4 in 20 overs: Bounce and that almost got Kohli. Jansen got it to bounce steeply off a length and into the body. Kohli fends this to protect his face and it loops up off his gloves and behind gully and point for a couple.

IND 58/4 in 19 overs: Rabada to resume his assault from the other end. Full on midddle and off and Rahane defends. The players are celebrating as they think Rahane has edged it behind to Elgar, who takes it on the rebound. Umpire doesn’t think so and Elgar goes for the review straightaway. OUT! Good review as Ultraedge confirms it went off Rahane’s glove. Rahane c Dean Elgar b Kagiso Rabada 1(9b 0x4 0x6).

IND 58/3 in 18 overs: Jansen to Pujara duel to begin the proceedings. Over the wicket. Outside off, angling across, and left alone. OUT! What a catch! by Petersen at leg slip, diving to his right. Pitched short on leg, Pujara looked to flick it off the hips and the extra bounce meant he gloved it. Cheteshwar Pujara c Keegan Petersen b Marco Jansen 9(33b 2×4 0x6). Rahane off the mark with a single at mid off off his third ball. Kohli leaves the last one alone in the channel as it angles across from him.

13-58 IST: Pujara and Kohli make their way to the middle, followed by the umpires and the South African team huddle. A gleaming blue sky against the backdrop of what could be a make-or-break day as far as the outcome of the series is concerned.

13-51 IST: Another cracking day of Test cricket awaits us and what better stage for it than a sun-soaked Newlands ground in Cape Town.

DAY 2 SUMMARY

Jasprit Bumrah rediscovered his mojo, Keegan Petersen conjured an innings of sublime beauty and the South African seamers hit back hard on an engrossing second day at Newlands.

At Stumps, India, dismissing the Proteas for 210 and gaining a first innings lead of 13, was 57 for two. Both its openers were back in the hut on Wednesday in the third Freedom Test.

Kagiso Rabada, his line immaculate, moved one away from Mayank Agarwal and Dean Elgar held on to a flying ball in the cordon.

And KL Rahul, who did not get his foot to the ball’s pitch, was lured by left-armer Marco Jansen into a fatal drive to a delivery shaping away; he was well caught by Aiden Markram in the cordon.

The decider promises to be an edge of the seat affair – FULL REPORT

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