South Africa made a strong reply in their chase of 240 against India in the second Test match being played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, reaching 118/2 at stumps on the third day on Wednesday. South Africa captain Dean Elgar was batting on 46 not out in the company of middle-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen, to lead an incredible reply from his team against the world No 1 Indian team.
Earlier on the third day of the second Test of the Freedom Series 2021, India were bowled out for a total of 266 in the second innings with middle-order batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara (53) and Ajinkya Rahane (58) scoring half-centuries that not only helped revive their respective careers, but also put India in a strong position after they were reduced to an effective 17/2 at one stage in their second innings.
Both Pujara and Rahane took the aggressive route to score their respective half-centuries. Pujara faced 86 balls and hit 10 boundaries to make 53 whereas Rahane was a little more aggressive, hitting 8 boundaries and 1 six to make 58 from only 78 balls. The two senior batsmen revised India’s position in the game, adding 111 runs for the third wicket from only 144 balls on a pitch that remained dangerous for batting with uneven bounce and carry.
Pujara and Rahane were dismissed after they got to their respective fifties and India was still far off from a safe total. But with the help of Hanuma Vihari, who scored 40 not out off 84 balls with 6 boundaries, India were able to get to a total of 266, wiping a deficit of 27 runs which South Africa had put on in terms of first-innings lead.
India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant disappointed when he was dismissed for a three-ball duck. Ravichandran Ashwin contributed with 16, Shardul Thakur made a 24-ball 28 with the help of 5 boundaries and a six while Jasprit Bumrah made 7 as India kept adding crucial runs towards the end of their second innings. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada took 3/77, Lungi Ngidi claimed 3/43 and Marco Jansen took 3/67 to lead an incredible fightback with the ball for their side.
South Africa openers Aiden Markram and Elgar began on a brisk note, adding 47 runs in the first 10 overs before their partnership was broken. Thakur trapped Markram in front of the wickets for 31, for which he faced 38 balls and hit 6 boundaries. After a strong opening stand, South Africa built on as the pair of Elgar and Keegan Pietersen added another 46 runs for the second wicket to keep their side on top.
The right-handed batsman Petersen was dismissed for 28 from 44 balls by India spinner Ashwin, but India had no more success for the remainder of the third day as South Africa reached a safe position of 118/2, requiring another 122 runs to record a series-levelling victory. On the fourth day, which is set to be the final day of the match, India will need 8 wickets before South Africa get to their finish line.
