On a day where the pitch started to show its true nature with cracks widened up as the match progressed, Indian batsman showed courage and grit, to counter Protea bowlers. Virar, Rahane, Bhuvneshwar, and Shami, all played vital knocks to earn India a 240 run lead, before match being halted by Umpires in the 9 over of South African Innings.
There were many occasions in the Day, the play as has been halted, whenever batsman had a blow on their hand as balls bounced more than expected from a good length. The Umpires had discussions each and every time with the batsman at the crease and between them but carried play every time.
Surprisingly, with a half, an hour to go on Day’s play Umpires had taken the matter into the change room, as a ball stuck Elgar on the helmet, but it wasn't due to the cracks nor due to the misbehaving surface, it's looked as if Elgar misjudged the ball.
However, India followed another day on top of Proteas more to say well ahead in the match as Shami struck early in the piece of Proteas chase with removing Markram by a rising delivery.
Earlier in the Day, Vijay and Rahul couldn't continue the good work they have done on the previous day, as Rahul once again fell for a ball that is outside off and full. Later Pujara hasn't stayed long as he received a peach from Morkel and found nowhere going, but only to edge it, to second slip.
Then the partnership between Vijay and Virat pawed the path for India, it wasn't been easy stuff to handle as the ball talked of the seam and added unpredictability of the pitch. Virat has been the aggressor to score runs whenever an opportunity presented to him. Vijay looked solid with his leaves and defense, he was also the one who had to take the blow on the hand.
When things started to look in control for India with the loss of just one wicket in the morning session, Rabada ripped a yorker to sent Vijay back in the hunt with the penultimate ball of the morning Session.
Having been not considered for the first two test, and only a few runs in the first Innings, the onus was on Rahane to show his captain the decision to leave him out was not a right one. And Rahane responded well to the added challenge of the unpredictable pitch as he was aggressive in his own way from the word go.
The presence of Virat at the other end, too, have helped him, but the Captain was cleaned by Rabada on 41 to a nip-backer from a crack. Hardik stay was not long as he looked rusty throughout his presence in the crease.
At this stage, India was at 148/6, and the wicket of Rahane looked a priced one for South Africa. Although, Bhuvneshwar, who has contributed well in the Series so far with the bat once again came to the rescue, with a solid partnership with Rahane, who continued to be aggressive in his way.
At at a time when Proteas bowlers have to be on their mark lost the radar a bit, and also dropped both Rahane and Bhuvneshwar's, straightforward chances. And for those lost opportunities, Proteas paid the price as the pair laid 50 runs.At this time Rahane was looking solid on 48 at the crease but was fallen down the leg side as he ticked the flick too fine to diving Dekock.
That might have taken some tension down in the Protea camp, but it was only for some time though as Shami played some shots of the length balls presented to him. He has taken Protea bowlers for all his liking with swinging the bat hard, he added 35 runs with Bhuvneshwar before his 28 balls 27. At the end, Bhuvneshwar hadn't stayed long after his 33, but his partnerships with Rahane and Shami has turned the game into India's hands.
No comments:
Post a Comment