(Cricket news) After losing both their openers late on day 2, India started day 3 on 57/2 with a lead of 70 runs. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara had played 39 and 31 balls respectively. Marco Jansen started things off and picked up Pujara's wicket on the 2nd ball of the day. Pujara gloved a ball down the leg side and the diving catch was taken by Keegan Peterson in fantastic fashion.

Ajinkya Rahane continued his poor run of form as he only managed 1 run before falling prey to Kagiso Rabada. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant stitched a very important partnership of 94 runs. Pant scored the majority of those runs as Kohli was being extra careful. The Indian skipper's resilience was ended by Lungi Ngidi as he was dismissed on 29. Ngidi got rid of Ravichandran Ashwin shortly after before picking up Shardul Thakur's wicket. Rabada dismissed Umesh Yadav while Jansen dismissed Mohammed Shami on ducks. 

Rishabh Pant played a fantastic knock of 100 off 139 balls. He was dropped by Keshav Maharaj on 88 and by Temba Bavuma on 94. He did play aggressive strokes like he always does but was very watchful and picked the right balls to do so. The gloveman took on Maharaj and scored a bulk of his runs against the spinner. Had it not been for Pant India would've lost the game comfortably. The innings displayed his character as it came after he threw his wicket away in the last Test match and was heavily criticised.

South Africa came out to bat with a target of 212. Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar put together 23 runs in 7 overs before Mohammed Shami picked up Markram's wicket. Dean Elgar's luck continued to shine as he played and missed more in this game than any batsman in the whole series. He edged the ball a couple of times but it fell short of the slip fielders. The big moment came in the 21st over when Ravichandran Ashwin trapped him in front. After deliberation Elgar hesitantly reviewed it. During the replays the dismissal looked absolutely plum but the hawkeye showed that the ball had comfortably bounced above the stumps. 

The Indian team was shocked beyond belief even the on field umpire was heard saying "That's impossible" after he was made to reverse his decision. The stump microphone caught the Indian players saying a lot of things which could land them in trouble with the match referee. Ashwin was heard saying ''You should find better ways to win Supersport (The broadcasters)". KL Rahul commented on the situation saying ''Whole country is playing against 11 guys''. Indian captain Virat Kohli leaned towards the stump mic and said “Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball.. and not just the opposition, trying to catch people all the time." The Indian team were clearly frustrated with the game and the series slipping away from them.

India did finally get Elgar's wicket with the last ball of the day as he edged Bumrah's ball down the leg side. South Africa ended the day on 101/2 as they needed 111 more runs and had 8 wickets in hand with 2 days still left to play. South Africa are clear favourites to clinch the series on day 4 of the 3rd Test. India once again need their bowlers to rescue them with a miracle.

Also read: Pant got runs when team needed them most and that's important: Mhambrey