| 0.0 : Hello and a warm welcome for the 3rd and final Test in Johannesburg at the Wanderers. The hosts have truly ruled the roost in home conditions. Their pace attack has flourished even in the absence of the injured Dale Steyn. The debutant, Lungi Ngidi rose to the occasion in the previous game and skittled the opposition. The hosts' batting has been a bit vulnerable at times but still they have managed to stay ahead in the game. Inflicting a whitewash is on the cards and on a surface which assists s |
| India, on the other hand, have failed to come to terms with the conditions. Their batting has been exposed while their bowling has only been good in patches. The visitors will hope for a much-better all-round performance from their players. The fact that they have never lost a Test match at the Wanderers augers well for them. Winning the final of the T20 World Cup at this venue is also a memorable event for them. That will give them some confidence heading into this encounter. Rahane is likely t |
| Shaun Pollock doing the pitch report says that there is a good grass covering on the track. States that the surface is nice and hard. Feels that there are a few cracks which can come into equation as the game progresses and the captains might be tempted to go in with the sole spinner. Ends by saying that as it is a spicy track, a captain should opt to field first if he wins the toss. |
| TOSS - Virat Kohli calls it right and India will bat first. |
| India skipper, Virat Kohli says that they are going to bat first. Mentions that the surface is hard and will be good for strokeplay even though there is grass on the surface. States that they have played some good cricket and are up against a team who are very strong. Reinstates the fact that they will look to correct their mistakes and improve. Informs that there are two changes. Ajinkya Rahane comes in for Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar replaces Ravichandran Ashwin. |
| South Africa skipper, Faf du Plessis says that they are a bit surprised by India's decision and they were thinking of bowling first on this surface. Feels that if there is a lot of sunshine, the cracks will open up on Day 3 and Day 4 and if the conditions are overcast, the ball will move around. Reckons that a spinner usually plays a holding role in Johannesburg and hence, they have gone for an attacking option. Informs that Andile Phehlukwayo replaces Keshav Maharaj. Feels that India are a toug |
| The players get ready for their respective national anthems. After the completion, we are set to get underway. Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul to open the batting for India. Morne Morkel to start off the proceedings with the brand new cherry. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : M Morkel to Vijay, Starts off with a length ball well outside off, gets appreciable bounce and away seam movement. Vijay has nothing to do with it. |
| 0.2 : M Morkel to Vijay, No ball! Early signs of the true nature of the pitch. Back of a length ball in the avenue of apprehension, shoots off the deck and angles in. Vijay knows where his off stump is and makes an assured leave. |
| M Morkel to Vijay, Good stuff from Morkel! Lands it in the corridor of uncertainty, Murali Vijay points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 0.3 : M Morkel to Vijay, On a length outside off, seaming away after pitching. Vijay plants his front foot across and makes an assured leave. |
| 0.4 : M Morkel to M Vijay, FOUR! Streaky way to open the account for himself! Full delivery outside off, encouraging Vijay to go for an ambitious shot. He fiddles at it with minimal foot movement and gets a thick outside edge which goes past the right side of the gully fielder and runs through to the fence. |
| 0.5 : M Morkel to Vijay, Well played! Fractionally overpitched on off, Vijay leans ahead and strokes it past mid off. Rabada from that region hares after it and keeps the batsmen down to a couple. |
| 0.6 : M Morkel to Vijay, Carry and bounce again! Good length ball outside off, shaping away appreciably. Vijay doesn't flirt with it. |
| Vernon Philander to share the new ball from the other end. This is his 50th Test match and he will be eager to make it a memorable one. |
| 1.1 : V Philander to Rahul, On the money from the word go! Good length ball on off, a bit of nibble in the air. Rahul comes forward gingerly to counter it but is beaten on the inside. The ball brushes his trouser and carries through to the keeper. |
| 1.2 : V Philander to Rahul, The famous outswinger from Philander. However, it is well outside off and Rahul makes an easy leave. |
| 1.3 : V Philander to Rahul, Angling in sharply, Lokesh strides forward and presents a water-tight defense towards cover-point. |
| 1.4 : V Philander to Rahul, Tight lines from Philander! On a length on off, Rahul makes use of the depth of the crease to dead-bat it. |
| 1.5 : V Philander to Rahul, Full ball outside off, swinging away sharply. Lokesh Rahul shoulders his arms to allow it through. |
| 1.6 : V Philander to Rahul, Good leave! Back of a length ball around off, nipping in this time. Rahul points his bat skywards to make a brave leave. Philander starts off with a maiden. |
| 2.1 : M Morkel to Vijay, In the avenue of anxiety, angling in after pitching. Vijay plants his front foot across and sees it through to the keeper. |
| 2.2 : M Morkel to Vijay, Similar line and length, Vijay remains circumspect in approach and doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 2.3 : M Morkel to Vijay, Good length ball outside off, some extra bounce on that and the ball moves away. Murali Vijay shuffles across his stumps and lets it go. |
| 2.4 : M Morkel to Vijay, This is testing stuff from Morkel, not allowing Vijay to have a sighter. Moves this one appreciably. The batsman looks to keep this out but the ball brushes the pocket of his trouser and sails through to de Kock. |
| 2.5 : M Morkel to Vijay, Peach! Straightens from a length just outside off and goes past Vijay's hanging bat. |
| 2.6 : M Morkel to Vijay, In the corridor of uncertainty, Vijay plants his front foot across to allow it through. Back-to-back maidens for South Africa. |
| 3.1 : V Philander to Rahul, OUT! Philander draws first blood! He has begun on a positive note in his 50th Test match to provide the ideal start for his side. Bowls a length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty and gets it to move in late after pitching. Rahul is caught in the crease as he feels for it with a big gap between his bat and pad. Ends up getting a faint inside edge and de Kock behind the stumps is alert. He gets low to his left and takes a fine catch. Good stuff from Philander. He |
| 0.0 : Cheteshwar Pujara strides out to bat. He has had a poor tour so far. Can he stand tall on this occasion? |
| 3.2 : V Philander to Pujara, Good length ball outside off, shaping away this time. Pujara leaves it alone. |
| 3.3 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 3.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Philander loses his radar and slips this one down the leg side. Pujara tries to glance it through but misses. |
| 3.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Fuller in length on middle, swinging away. Pujara covers the line and defends it stoutly. |
| 3.6 : V Philander to Pujara, Full and wide outside off, left alone. A wicket-maiden, terrific stuff from the Big Vern. |
| 4.1 : M Morkel to Vijay, Poor shot! Fuller length ball outside off, shaping away. Vijay goes at it with minimal footwork and is beaten all ends up. |
| 4.2 : M Morkel to Vijay, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 4.3 : M Morkel to Vijay, In the channel outside off, Vijay lets it go. |
| 4.4 : M Morkel to Vijay, Back of a length around off, holding its line, Murali Vijay lets it go. |
| 4.5 : M Morkel to Vijay, On a length in the fifth stump channel, shaping away sharply. Vijay doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 4.6 : M Morkel to Vijay, Swinging down the leg side, Vijay fails to put bat to ball. Four maidens in a row. |
| 5.1 : V Philander to Pujara, The Indian batsmen are in all sorts of trouble! On a length outside off, curving away. Pujara feels for it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 5.2 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.3 : V Philander to C Pujara, Brilliant fielding! Overpitched on off, Pujara drives this one crisply towards mid off. Rabada runs to his right, dives full length and saves a certain boundary. He is a terrific athlete. |
| 5.4 : V Philander to Pujara, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 5.5 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| India in all sorts of trouble! Vernon Philander is absolutely convinced that he has Pujara trapped in front. He eggs his skipper to challenge the decision. Certainly looks close to the naked eye. |
| 5.6 : Philander to Pujara, Not Out! Definitely close but the batsman just survives! Fuller in length in the avenue of apprehension, seaming in after pitching. Pujara comes forward gingerly to block it but misses to get hit flush on the front pad. Philander roars in an appeal along with his teammates but the umpire stays put. He tells his skipper to go for the review to which the latter agrees. Snicko doesn't spot any nick. Time for the Hawk Eye. The impact is in line but it is clipping the top of |
| 6.1 : M Morkel to Vijay, Bonus runs for India! The inswinger this time but it is way down the leg side, Vijay misses the glance while de Kock is also beaten on the dive. |
| 6.2 : M Morkel to Vijay, On a length outside off, Murali plants his front foot across to let it go. |
| 6.3 : M Morkel to Vijay, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 6.4 : M Morkel to M Vijay, Good bowling! Catching the batsman off guard. Short of a length around off, angling in. Vijay is tentative as he pokes his bat at it but gets an outside edge that rolls towards the slip cordon. |
| 6.5 : M Morkel to M Vijay, Shaky! Angling in sharply from a fullish length, Vijay goes at it with hard hands but gets an inside edge past his leg stump and towards fine leg. A run taken. |
| 6.6 : M Morkel to Pujara, Back of a length well outside off, left alone. |
| 7.1 : V Philander to Vijay, Fuller length ball around off, shaping in, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 7.2 : V Philander to Vijay, A huge appeal for an LBW denied! Fullish delivery, angling in sharply. Vijay tries to keep it out but misses to get pinged on the pads. Philander is running towards the slip cordon and is also not looking at the umpire. Ian Gould stays unmoved. It seems that it is sliding down leg and du Plessis doesn't go for the review. |
| 7.3 : V Philander to Vijay, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 7.4 : V Philander to Vijay, Around the hips, tucked towards square leg for a run. Pujara wants the second run but it is not on. |
| 7.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Philander on fire! Gets the ball to curve back in a long way from a back of a length. Pujara is caught in the crease as he looks to block it but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 7.6 : V Philander to Pujara, Well outside off, Che lets it go. |
| The talented Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack. He would try to keep the pressure on. |
| 8.1 : K Rabada to Vijay, Full ball outside off, swinging away. Vijay doesn't chase it. |
| 8.2 : K Rabada to Vijay, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 8.3 : K Rabada to Vijay, Length ball outside off, holding its line, Vijay makes an assured leave. |
| 8.4 : K Rabada to Vijay, OUT! The decision to bat first on a spicy track is backfiring on India! However, this was a very, very ordinary shot. You need to at least be circumspect in approach when the ball is doing so much. Alas, the approach has been forgettable. Fuller in length hurled wide outside off, moving further away. Vijay chases it with minimal footwork and ends up getting a thick outside edge. De Kock moves to his right and accepts it gleefully. South Africa right on top. The talented |
| The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli strides out to bat. He has been the only batsman among the top six who has looked in decent form. A captain's knock is the need of the hour. |
| 8.5 : K Rabada to Kohli, Hangs back to the length ball and defends it. |
| 8.6 : K Rabada to Kohli, Outside off, shaping away, Kohli leaves it alone. Wicket-maiden for Rabada. |
| 9.1 : V Philander to Pujara, Uppish but safe! Fullish ball, in line of the stumps. Pujara fails to control his flick and plays it uppishly but thankfully for him, it goes on the bounce to the fielder. |
| 9.2 : V Philander to Pujara, Another play and a miss! So close to kissing the off pole. Good length ball around off, nipping in. Pujara tries to keep it out but misses and the ball just goes over the stumps. |
| 9.3 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 9.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Outside off, shaping further away, Pujara lets it go. |
| 9.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Almost another wicket! What a brute of a delivery. Good length ball in the tight off stump channel, Pujara points his bat skywards but the ball nips in and just goes over the off stump. If the bounce was a bit low, he would have been a dead duck. |
| 9.6 : V Philander to Pujara, Hangs back to the length ball and keeps it at bay. |
| 10.1 : K Rabada to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, seaming in substantially. Kohli prods forward to counter it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 10.2 : K Rabada to Kohli, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 10.3 : K Rabada to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, moving away after landing. Kohli does well to let it go. |
| 10.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, FOUR! Glorious! Trademark Kohli cover drive. Fullish ball outside off, the Indian skipper leans ahead and caresses it through extra cover to find the fence. This will get him going. |
| 10.5 : K Rabada to Kohli, Shaping in sharply again, Kohli fails to tuck it away but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 10.6 : K Rabada to Kohli, On a length outside off, played with an angled bat to point. |
| 11.1 : V Philander to Pujara, Beaten! On a back of a length outside off, holding its line. Pujara pokes at it but gets foxed. |
| 11.2 : V Philander to Pujara, Unplayable delivery! Fullish ball around off, angling in initially to bring Pujara forward and then moves away to go past his hanging bat. This pith is certainly a heaven for fast bowlers. |
| 11.3 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 11.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 11.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Another one far away from Che and he lets it go. |
| 11.6 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. Another maiden for Philander, he has bowled with needle-like precision. |
| 12.1 : K Rabada to Kohli, Peach! Back of a length around off, takes off and moves away like a leg spinning ball. Kohli feels for it and gets beaten. That probably hit on of the cracks. |
| 12.2 : K Rabada to Kohli, Angling in sharply again from a good length, pings Kohli on the thigh pad and rolls to gully. Kohli wants a run but is sent back. |
| 12.3 : K Rabada to Kohli, Nicely played! Full and outside off, caressed through covers for a brace. |
| 12.4 : K Rabada to Kohli, This is class bowling on a conducive surface! Back of a length outside off, shaping in sharply. Kohli tries to block it but is again foxed. This is that sort of a wicket where you are ought to get beaten at times. Need to have steel of nerves. |
| 12.5 : K Rabada to Kohli, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 12.6 : K Rabada to Kohli, Angling in again, defended stoutly. |
| Time for Drinks. |
| 13.1 : V Philander to Pujara, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 13.2 : V Philander to Pujara, Good length ball in that probing off stump channel, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 13.3 : V Philander to Pujara, Back of a length ball around off, moving away. Pujara keeps his bat inside the line and lets it go. |
| 13.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Ooh.. heavy movement catches Pujara into a tangle. On a driveable length outside off, Pujara pushes at it with hard ends and almost nicks it behind to the keeper. Didn't move his feet much and almost paid the price for it. |
| 13.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, Che lets it go. |
| 13.6 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| South Africa are right on top. Testing time for the batsmen. India need to grind it out and fight fire with fire. |
| 14.1 : K Rabada to Kohli, Around the hips, tucked through square leg for a run. The batsmen want the second but the fielder is quick to deny them. |
| 14.2 : K Rabada to Pujara, Length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, moving away. Pujara lets it go. |
| 14.3 : K Rabada to Pujara, Outside off, shaping away, left alone. |
| 14.4 : K Rabada to Pujara, Good length ball around off, Pujara is as solid as a rock. He is certainly taking his time. He has played 35 balls without opening his account. |
| 14.5 : K Rabada to Pujara, A bit fuller of a length outside off, Che doesn't fiddle with it. Good carry again. |
| 14.6 : K Rabada to Pujara, In the zone outside off, Pujara lets it go. |
| 15.1 : V Philander to Kohli, Back of a length ball, shaping in substantially. Kohli hops and tries to keep it out but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 15.2 : V Philander to Kohli, Tight lines outside off, Kohli is circumspect in approach as he allows it through. |
| 15.3 : V Philander to Kohli, Short of a length on off, defended stoutly off the back foot. |
| 15.4 : V Philander to Kohli, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 15.5 : V Philander to Kohli, Full length ball just outside off, shaping away, wanting Kohli to go for an expansive shot. The Indian skipper doesn't fall for the bait. He has looked assured at the crease so far. |
| 15.6 : V Philander to Kohli, Fractionally overpitched around off, pushed off the front foot to covers. 7 maidens for Philander, he is having a ball out there. |
| 16.1 : K Rabada to Pujara, On a good length outside off, Pujara keeps his bat inside the line to let it go. |
| 16.2 : K Rabada to Pujara, Edgy! Fullish ball on off, some nibble in the air. Pujara plays at it with soft hands but gets a safe edge towards the slip cordon. |
| 16.3 : K Rabada to C Pujara, Brilliant bowling! The inward angle on this fullish ball squares Pujara up as he tries to keep it out but gets an outside edge. Elgar from gully intercepts and stops the ball to his left. Gets a pat from his teammates for his effort. |
| 16.4 : K Rabada to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 16.5 : K Rabada to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, not played at. |
| 16.6 : K Rabada to Pujara, Good bowling and equally well played! Fullish ball outside off, takes off and seams away. Pujara keeps his bat inside the line to make a good leave. |
| Lungi Ngidi comes into the attack. He was the star in his debut match and will look to put in another match-winning performance. |
| 17.1 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, some extra bounce on that. Kohli hops and blocks it out. |
| 17.2 : L Ngidi to Kohli, What a take, de Kock! Swinging down the leg side, Kohli misses his flick. Quinton dives like a goalkeeper to his left and makes a partial stop. Only a bye taken. |
| 17.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 17.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Leg bye! Angling in sharply from a back of a length, Pujara misses his tuck and the ball brushes his thigh pad to roll to the leg side. The batsmen take a run. |
| 17.5 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Almost threw his wicket away! Full and well outside off, moving further away. Kohli chases it away from his body and the ball just whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 17.6 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Leg bye! Shortish ball, angling down. Kohli tries to play it across but the ball brushes his hips and flies behind. De Kock leaps and makes a partial stop. The batsmen sneak in a run. |
| 18.1 : K Rabada to Kohli, Wristy Kohli! Fullish and angling in, clipped beautifully through wide mid on for a brace. |
| 18.2 : K Rabada to Kohli, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 18.3 : K Rabada to Kohli, Fuller in length around of, Kohli checks his drive towards wide mid off. |
| 18.4 : K Rabada to Kohli, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad. |
| 18.5 : K Rabada to Kohli, Tentative! Back of a length on off, straightening after pitching. Kohli goes at it with soft hands and that proves to be the key. Gets an outside edge that rolls to third slip. |
| 18.6 : K Rabada to Kohli, Too straight and full, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 19.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, On a good length outside off, takes off after pitching, Che allows it through. |
| 19.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Fuller in length around ff, Pujara comes forward and defends it with a high elbow. |
| 19.3 : Ngidi to Pujara, A big shout for an LBW is denied! That looked real close to the naked eye. On a length around off, nipping in sharply. Pujara comes forward in an attempt to deal with it but is pinged on the pads. Ngidi shouts in excitement but the umpire kills down his excitement. Faf remains unmoved as well. Well, the Hawk Eye rolls in and oh my word! Guess what! It shows three reds. Pujara is a lucky man. |
| 19.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Length delivery, zipping through. Pings Pujara on the pads who misses out on his flick. |
| 19.5 : L Ngidi to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Che has played 50 balls now without scoring a run. |
| 19.6 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Fullish ball, Pujara clips this nicely towards mid on where Morkel dives to make a good stop. Keeps Pujara on zero. |
| 20.1 : Rabada to V Kohli, Dropped! What have you done Big Vern? This could prove to be really expensive for his side. |
| 20.2 : K Rabada to Kohli, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 20.3 : K Rabada to Kohli, Fuller in length, kept out compactly. |
| 20.4 : K Rabada to Kohli, FOUR! Brilliant shot! Runs are hard to come by on this track and whenever the opportunity presents itself, you need to cash on. Full ball outside off, Kohli leans into it and creams it through cover-point to find the fence. |
| 20.5 : K Rabada to Kohli, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 20.6 : K Rabada to Kohli, Hangs back to the length ball and blocks it solidly. |
| 21.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, No run. |
| 21.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 21.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, A big moment for the Indians, Pujara has finally broken the shackles and has opened his account on the 54th ball. The dressing room is all smiles and cheers him on. Overpitched on middle, clipped behind square leg for a single. |
| 21.4 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 21.5 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Unplayable! Angling in initially and then straightens off the deck to beat the outside edge of Kohli. |
| 21.6 : L Ngidi to Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second. |
| Time for Andile Phehlukwayo to have a bowl. |
| 22.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Starts off with a loosener on middle and leg, clipped easily through square leg for a brace. |
| 22.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Well outside off, easy leave for Pujara who has been as solid as a rock. |
| 22.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Good ball! Back of a length outside off, shaping in. Pujara trusts the bounce of the pitch and makes a good leave. |
| 22.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Straying on the pads again, clipped around the corner for another run. |
| 22.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, On a length outside off, tapped with an open bat face past point to pick up a run. |
| 22.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, This has been a wayward start from Phehlukwayo. Too full and down the leg side, worked through backward square leg for a run. |
| 23.1 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Ooh... so close to chopping it back on! Back of a length ball around off, some nibble in the air. Kohli wants to leave it initially but then is caught in two minds. Is late to let it go and the ball catches the inside edge of the bat to strike him on the back leg. Fortunately for him, the ball deflects past the off stump and goes towards the keeper. The South Africans have their hands on their heads. |
| 23.2 : L Ngidi to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.3 : L Ngidi to Kohli, On a length around off, moving away, answered with a straight bat. |
| 23.4 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Fuller in length, shaping in, kept out watchfully. |
| 23.5 : L Ngidi to Kohli, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 23.6 : L Ngidi to Kohli, What a ball! Almost caught the Indian skipper off guard. Inswinging yorker, dipping on the batsman as well. Kohli somehow keeps it down on the track. |
| 24.1 : A Phehlukwayo to C Pujara, Fullish delivery, clipped with the angle to mid on. |
| 24.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Phehlukwayo has been off radar till not. Needs to get his mark right. Slips this one down the leg side, easy pickings for Pujara as he tucks it around the corner for a run. |
| 24.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, On a length, angling in sharply, tucked with a closed bat face to the leg side. |
| 24.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Short and a lot of room to play with. Kohli rises on his toes and thrashes it past backward point for a rocketing boundary. |
| 24.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 24.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, Fullish delivery, no real threat on that. Dealt with easily off the front foot. |
| 25.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, Che lets it go. |
| 25.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Well played in the end! Short of a length ball, angling in. Pujara rises on his toes and decides to block it eventually. |
| 25.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Back of a length ball, stonewalled off the back foot. |
| 25.5 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Good length ball outside off, some extra bounce on that. Che doesn't fiddle with it. |
| The sun is shining in all its glory at the moment. |
| 25.6 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Ooh.. that is uncomfortable! Back of a length ball, swerving in. Pujara is beaten for pace and is hit on the stomach. That will shake him up. Another maiden for Ngidi. |
| 26.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, Full and down the leg side, Kohli attempts to clip it away but the ball deflects off his pads to the man at square leg. |
| 26.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, Too straight again, easily tucked to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 26.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, Full length ball, angling in, kept out watchfully. |
| 26.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, False stroke from Kohli! Fullish delivery around off, Virat goes at it with hard hands but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid on. |
| 26.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, Continues to bowl full around that probing off stump channel, Kohli comes forward and defends this with a high elbow. |
| 26.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Kohli, Full length ball in line of the stumps, kept out watchfully to mid on. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| A top start to the game for the Proteas. They didn't win the toss but got the desired choice of bowling first on a conducive track. They have been all over the Indians, picked up early wickets and kept a stern check on the run-flow as well. The ball has swung like a banana, bounced steeply and seamed off the deck substantially to test the batsmen. The Big Vern was in the thick of things once again as he got rid of Rahul with a beauty of a delivery. There was another case of a batsman throwing hi |
| The duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli has been watchful so far. They have been lucky to survive as well. The Indian skipper was dropped on 11 by Philander and it was not a difficult chance. Faf du Plessis also missed a trick as Ngidi trapped Pujara in front of the stumps once but he didn't challenge the decision. However, credit to the experienced duo for fighting it out. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have played the perfect foil to Vernon Philander to keep the batsmen guessing. Will the |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara to continue their innings. Will the Indians attempt to up the scoring rate? Or will it be again a rearguard action from them? Vernon Philander to bowl first up after Lunch. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 27.1 : V Philander to Pujara, Starts off with a length ball around off and gets it to swing back in. Pujara gets low and keeps it out towards square leg. |
| 27.2 : V Philander to Pujara, Good length ball outside off, Che hangs back and defends it stoutly besides the pitch. |
| 27.3 : V Philander to Pujara, In the zone outside off, takes off after pitching. Pujara points his bat skywards to make a good leave. |
| 27.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Hits one of the cracks probably! It is impossible to generate so much of movement naturally. Back of a length on off, cuts away significantly. Pujara does well to keep his bat inside the line and lets it through. |
| 27.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Tentative! Fuller in length, shaping in this time. Che is unsure about which way the ball will move. Plants his bat in front and gets it off the inner half to fine leg. A single taken. |
| 27.6 : V Philander to Kohli, Length ball outside off, holding its line. Kohli leaves it alone. |
| Morne Morkel to bowl from the other end. |
| 28.1 : M Morkel to Pujara, Takes off from a good length outside off like a plane takes off. Pujara plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 28.2 : M Morkel to Pujara, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 28.3 : M Morkel to Pujara, Well bowled and equally well played! Rising on Pujara from a short of a length. He hops and keeps it at bay by taking his bottom hand off the bat. |
| 28.4 : M Morkel to Pujara, You can never be at ease on this kind of a surface! The ball tends to do something on a consistent basis and you have to be on your toes. Angling in sharply to induce a false stroke from Pujara who closes his bat face early and gets a safe leading edge to covers. A single taken. |
| 28.5 : M Morkel to Kohli, Back of a length around off, holding its line. Kohli feels for it a bit and gets beaten. |
| 28.6 : M Morkel to Kohli, FOUR! Pleasing to the eyes! Full and outside off, Kohli strides ahead and times his punch beautifully through wide mid off to pick up a boundary. |
| 29.1 : V Philander to Pujara, On a length outside off, leaving Pujara. He doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 29.2 : V Philander to Pujara, FOUR! Poor delivery and gets the treatment! Short and room to play with, Pujara rises on his toes and crunches it through point. The fielder hares after it but only comes second best. |
| 29.3 : V Philander to Pujara, FOUR! All of a sudden, the runs are flowing. Three boundaries have been scored in the last 4 balls. Shortish again and well outside off, Pujara pounces on the opportunity and slaps it through covers to find the fence. For the first time, Philanders has been off the radar. The protection is there for the drive but he is bowling too short for the liking of his side. |
| 29.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Better this time. Fuller in length, kept out watchfully. |
| 29.5 : V Philander to C Pujara, Coming in sharply from a good length and takes the inside edge of Che's bat to strike him on the pads. |
| 29.6 : V Philander to Pujara, Fullish ball around off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 30.1 : M Morkel to Kohli, On a length around off, defended solidly from withing the crease. |
| 30.2 : M Morkel to Kohli, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.3 : M Morkel to Kohli, Testing Kohli with a sharp bouncer around off, Kohli remains circumspect in approach and drops his wrists to let it be. |
| 30.4 : M Morkel to Kohli, Shoots off from a fuller length outside off, de Kock dives full length to his right and manages to stop it. |
| 30.5 : M Morkel to Kohli, Short of a length ball, Kohli is up on his toes and leaves it at the last moment. |
| 30.6 : M Morkel to Kohli, FOUR! Nicely done! Similar length ball, rising on Kohli. He hops and guides it in a controlled manner past the diving third slip fielder to find the fence. That brings up the 50-run stand between the duo. It has been a fighting one. |
| 31.1 : V Philander to Pujara, Shaping in appreciably from a back of a length to breach Pujara's defense and ping him on the thigh pad. |
| 31.2 : V Philander to Pujara, A play and a miss! Full delivery outside off, shaping away. Pujara pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 31.3 : V Philander to Pujara, Close shave! Full length ball attacking the stumps, Pujara aims to jam it out but the ball goes on the bounce to the fielder at short leg. Too close for comfort. |
| 31.4 : V Philander to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 31.5 : V Philander to Pujara, In the zone outside off, Pujara lets it go. |
| 31.6 : V Philander to Pujara, Full delivery swinging away, Che keeps his bat inside the line to let it go. |
| 32.1 : M Morkel to Kohli, Dropped! Would you believe it that AB de Villiers is the culprit? Short and room on offer, reckless approach from Kohli who reaches out to it and tries to cut it. Only manages to get a bottom edge that flies towards AB at third slip. He crouches and attempts to catch it as the ball dips in. Only gets his fingertips to it and the ball bursts through towards third man. Two runs taken. This is the second time the Indian skipper has been dropped. He is certainly leading a c |
| 32.2 : M Morkel to Kohli, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 32.3 : M Morkel to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, left alone. |
| 32.4 : M Morkel to Kohli, Unplayable! Short of a length delivery around off, angling in initially and then cuts away. Kohli tries to keep it out but gets beaten. |
| 32.5 : M Morkel to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, left alone. |
| 32.6 : M Morkel to Kohli, Morkel is really unlucky to have not got rid of Kohli. A tad fuller than a short of a length outside off. Angling in initially and then moves away after pitching. Draws Kohli into the drive and the ball just whizzes past his outside edge. Another maiden for Morkel. |
| 33.1 : V Philander to Pujara, Fullish delivery around off, blocked off the inner half of the bat. |
| 33.2 : V Philander to Pujara, On a length this time, kept out watchfully. |
| 33.3 : V Philander to Pujara, Good length ball outside off, moving away, not fiddled with it. |
| 33.4 : V Philander to Pujara, In the zone outside off, Che plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 33.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Outside off, swinging away. Che lets it go. |
| 33.6 : V Philander to Pujara, FOUR! Intent from Pujara! Runs are flowing from his bat now. Slightly overpitched on off, Pujara shows the full face of the bat and drives it down the ground for a majestic boundary. |
| 34.1 : M Morkel to Kohli, FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Made that look really easy. Not exactly a half volley, it is on a length outside off but Kohli gets across and drives it as straight as a rocket down the ground for a boundary. |
| 34.2 : M Morkel to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 34.3 : M Morkel to Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 34.4 : M Morkel to Kohli, STREAKY FOUR! Luck is on the Indians' side at the moment. Morkel lands this on a length outside off and gets it to jag back in. Kohli looks to defend but is cramped up. An inside edge is induced but the ball goes over the stumps to the fine leg fence! |
| 34.5 : M Morkel to Kohli, WIDE! Too wide outside off. fuller and swinging miles away, Kohli lets it go. |
| M Morkel to Kohli, Outside off, punched wide of mid off for a quick run. |
| 34.6 : M Morkel to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Kagiso Rabada is back on. |
| 35.1 : K Rabada to Kohli, No run. |
| 35.2 : K Rabada to Kohli, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. |
| 35.3 : K Rabada to Kohli, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 35.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Full and outside off, Kohli pushes at it but gets an outside edge which edge which does not carry to gully. |
| 35.5 : K Rabada to Kohli, Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it. |
| 35.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, FOUR! Full and outside off, Kohli leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! |
| 36.1 : M Morkel to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 36.2 : M Morkel to Pujara, On a length outside off, Pujara feels for it but misses. |
| 36.3 : M Morkel to Pujara, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 36.4 : M Morkel to Kohli, Short and wide outside off, Virat goes after that, without moving his feet and is beaten. |
| 36.5 : M Morkel to Kohli, Full and outside off, VK looks to flick but gets a leading edge to cover. |
| 36.6 : M Morkel to Kohli, Around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 37.1 : K Rabada to Pujara, Outside off, jags back in sharply, Pujara shoulders arms and then is extra careful to avoid touching the ball. |
| 37.2 : K Rabada to Pujara, Wider outside off, easily let through. |
| 37.3 : K Rabada to Pujara, One more leave outside off. |
| 37.4 : K Rabada to Pujara, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 37.5 : K Rabada to Pujara, On a length outside off, still a touch wide, Cheteshwar lets it go again. |
| 37.6 : K Rabada to Pujara, Full on middle, tailing in slightly chipped uppishly towards mid on. |
| Lungi Ngidi's time to bowl again. |
| 38.1 : L Ngidi to Kohli, On a length outside off, watchfully defended with the extra bounce to cover. |
| 38.2 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Ah ah... Kohli taps it towards the off side and sets off for a single. Pujara is not interested at all and the Indian captain reluctantly goes back. Don't think there was a run available, even if Hardik Pandya would have been at the non-striker's end. |
| 38.3 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 38.4 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Outside off, a play and a miss. |
| 38.5 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 38.6 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.1 : K Rabada to Pujara, On middle and leg, helped towards fine leg for a single. |
| 39.2 : K Rabada to Kohli, Outside off,a bouncer, let through. |
| 39.3 : K Rabada to Kohli, FIVE WIDES! A wild bouncer, down the leg side, Kohli ducks while de Kock leaps. Gets only a glove to it and the ball rolls away to the fine leg fence. |
| K Rabada to Kohli, Outside off, left alone again. |
| 39.4 : K Rabada to Kohli, Outside off, pushed straight to point. |
| 39.5 : K Rabada to Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 39.6 : K Rabada to Kohli, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 40.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, On a good length outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 40.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Wider outside off, but steep bounce, let through. |
| 40.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Very full outside off, almost a yorker, Pujara jams it out and then wrings his hand in pain. Perhaps he hit it too hard. |
| 40.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, On middle and leg, worked straight to square leg. |
| 40.5 : L Ngidi to Pujara, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 40.6 : L Ngidi to Pujara, One more leave to end the over. |
| 41.1 : K Rabada to Kohli, A short ball down the leg side, Kohli swivels to pull but misses. |
| 41.2 : K Rabada to Kohli, That is a peach. On a length outside off, Virat feels for it but misses. I thought I heard a noise but no reaction from anyone else. Might be hearing things then. |
| 41.3 : K Rabada to V Kohli, FOUR! In total command is King Kohli! A short ball outside off, Kohli swivels again, this time getting on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg for a boundary! Brings up his half century as well. Superb knock. Now for the big one. |
| 41.4 : K Rabada to Kohli, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. |
| 41.5 : K Rabada to Pujara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 41.6 : K Rabada to Pujara, Outside off, left alone again. |
| 42.1 : L Ngidi to Kohli, IN THE AIR... SAFE! Full on middle, Kohli chips it uppishly through mid-wicket but just avoids the fielder. Two runs taken. |
| 42.2 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Full on middle, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 42.3 : L Ngidi to Kohli, Wide outside off, Kohli is not chasing that. |
| 42.4 : L Ngidi to Kohli, OUT! Kohli does not chase the previous one but he chases this one and is gone! AB de Villiers dropped him on the previous occasion but not this time. Full and wide outside off, could have been left alone, Kohli reaches out for that without moving his feet much and gets a thick outside edge. AB de Villiers at third slip is initially not sure to have his hands in reverse cup position or the bucket-like one and in the end, goes for the second choice. The decision has to be m |
| In comes Ajinkya Rahane at number 5. Two Tests too late but still, better late than never. |
| 42.5 : L Ngidi to Rahane, Full and outside off, Rahane comes forward to push but gets a thick inside edge towards mid on. |
| 42.6 : L Ngidi to Rahane, On a length outside off, let through this time. |
| 43.1 : K Rabada to Pujara, A bouncer outside off, ducked under. |
| 43.2 : K Rabada to Pujara, Full and outside off, well defended. |
| 43.3 : K Rabada to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 43.4 : K Rabada to Pujara, Outside off, pretty wide, let through. |
| 43.5 : K Rabada to Pujara, Stays back in his crease and blocks it to the leg side. |
| 43.6 : K Rabada to Pujara, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 44.1 : L Ngidi to Rahane, Landed outside off, pretty mkuch full, perfectly pushed towards cover. |
| 44.2 : L Ngidi to Rahane, Landed outside off again, not played at. |
| 44.3 : L Ngidi to Rahane, On a length and around off, Rahane gets right behind this one and blocks. |
| 44.4 : L Ngidi to Rahane, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 44.5 : L Ngidi to Rahane, Perfect shot. Not a dissimilar ball which got rid of Kohli. The Indian skipper reached out for it, so did Rahane. But the former did not move his feet while Jinx did. That enabled the latter to get to the ball and open the face of the bat slightly. The cherry went behind point and the batsmen returned for the second. |
| 44.6 : L Ngidi to Rahane, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 45.1 : K Rabada to Pujara, Full and outside off, watchfully pushed towards the off side. |
| 45.2 : K Rabada to Pujara, Jags back in a long way, Pujara is late in his attempted flick and is hit on the pads. |
| 45.3 : K Rabada to Pujara, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 45.4 : K Rabada to Pujara, On middle and leg, flicked through the leg side for a run. |
| 45.5 : K Rabada to Rahane, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 45.6 : K Rabada to Rahane, On a length outside off, solidly blocked out. |
| The average first day score at Wanderers is 249/7. Both teams will have to get a move on to reach that average - runs and wickets. |
| 46.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, On a good length outside off, pushed to the off side. |
| 46.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Landed just outside off, inviting the drive, keeping the cover vacant, but Pujara is calm and composed to let that go. |
| 46.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, This is down the leg side, Cheteshwar misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads, on the bounce to Quinton de Kock. |
| 46.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, A bouncer outside off, CP comfortably lets that go. |
| 46.5 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Full on middle, driven straight to mid on. |
| 46.6 : L Ngidi to C Pujara, Similar ball, the bat turns in Pujara's hands a little bit but he is in control as he pushes this towards mid on. |
| Morne Morkel is back on to bowl. |
| 47.1 : M Morkel to Rahane, Landed on a length outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 47.2 : M Morkel to Rahane, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 47.3 : M Morkel to Rahane, Ahh.... beaten! A rare mistake from the usually composed Rahane. The line is pretty wide outside off, could have been left alone, even though it is on a length, but Rahane gets across to defend and almost edges it behind. The ball misses by a whisker. |
| 47.4 : M Morkel to Rahane, Once again he gets across to a pretty wide ball but this time, shoulders arms. |
| 47.5 : M Morkel to Rahane, Outside off, slightly slower in pace, Jinx works it wide of mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 47.6 : M Morkel to Pujara, Widest of the lot to end the over, the master of patience lets it go. |
| Double change. The man playing his 50th Test is back on. |
| 48.1 : V Philander to Rahane, Hits the mark straightaway, on and around off, watchfully defended to the leg side. |
| 48.2 : V Philander to Rahane, Terrific delivery. The ball is pitched on a length around off, which means the batsman has to play at that. Then, it moves away pretty late, almost taking the outside edge. Just misses. |
| 48.3 : V Philander to Rahane, Outside off, no such movement this time, left alone. |
| Oh dear! Rahane has edged one but has Philander overstepped? Checking upstairs... |
| 48.4 : V Philander to Rahane, IT IS A NO BALL! What a lifeline for Rahane! He has had a pretty uncomfortable last 10 minutes and was nearly consumed by this peach. The ball lands on a length around off and Rahane commits himself to play at that. But then the ball moves away and the batsman thinks, should I leave it? Rahane tries to withdraw his bat but is a bit late and the ball goes off the edge to the keeper! The Proteas appeal but Rahane starts to walk even before the umpire raises his finger. |
| V Philander to Rahane, Outside off, left alone. |
| 48.5 : V Philander to Rahane, Outside off, punched through point for a couple. |
| 48.6 : V Philander to Rahane, The batsman gets a leading edge on that one. |
| 49.1 : M Morkel to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 49.2 : M Morkel to Pujara, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 49.3 : M Morkel to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 49.4 : M Morkel to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 49.5 : M Morkel to Pujara, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 49.6 : M Morkel to C Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara looks to drive but mistimes it to mid off. |
| 50.1 : V Philander to Rahane, A length ball down the leg side, Rahane looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball goes off his pads to the leg side and the batsmen take a single. Leg bye signalled. |
| 50.2 : V Philander to Pujara, Landed outside off, Pujara shoulders arms to that outswinger. |
| 50.3 : V Philander to Pujara, Just outside off, Cheteshwar just about plays that at the last moment, pushing the ball to the off side. |
| 50.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Slightly wider than the previous one, comfortably left alone. |
| 50.5 : V Philander to Pujara, Outside off, CP lets that through. |
| 50.6 : Philander to C Pujara, FOUR! Flashed and flashed hard! Not a bad shot. Off the edge, of course but these count. A short ball outside off, pretty wide, a rare bad ball from Philander and Pujara throws his bat at that and the cherry goes off the outside edge, over the slips and to the third man fence! |
| 51.1 : M Morkel to A Rahane, FOUR! PRISTINE! Half volley wide outside off, Rahane reaches out and drives it through wide mid off. The fielder dives to his left but the ball goes through! |
| 51.2 : M Morkel to Rahane, Outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 51.3 : M Morkel to A Rahane, A short ball on middle, Ajinkya pulls it straight to short square leg. Excellent field placement. |
| Morkel has trapped Rahane in front! Is that a no ball? Is that a wicket? Rahane has a chat with Pujara and gets it referred... |
| 51.4 : Morkel to Rahane, OUT! The decision stays as it is! Umpire's call! Hard, hard luck for Rahane. Only a small part of the ball is hitting the leg stump but that will do for South Africa. Good bowling by Morkel, getting this full after the previous short one and tailing it in. Rahane looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Morkel appeals, umpire Ian Gould thinks for a while and then raises his finger! Rahane has a long chat with Pujara and then signals for the review. Hawk Eye shows |
| Interesting. Parthiv Patel has been sent ahead of Hardik Pandya at number 6. At least, interesting for me. |
| 51.5 : M Morkel to P Patel, Full on off, pushed towards mid on. |
| 51.6 : M Morkel to Patel, Outside off, let through. |
| 52.1 : V Philander to Pujara, On a length outside off, defended watchfully. |
| 52.2 : V Philander to Pujara, That has leg spun! Oh dear... how does one play this? On a length outside off, Pujara comes forward to defend but the ball hits a crack and then deviates appreciably. Beats the outside edge. |
| 52.3 : V Philander to Pujara, Outside off, another play and a miss. |
| 52.4 : V Philander to Pujara, Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 52.5 : V Philander to Pujara, On middle and leg, tucked to the leg side for a single. |
| 52.6 : V Philander to Patel, On middle and leg again, tucked towards square leg. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Mixed session. 69 runs, 2 wickets and 26 overs bowled. Attrition has been the order of the day, such has been the bowling by the Proteas. |
| India started the session well though, with AB de Villiers handing another life to Virat Kohli and the stand between him and Pujara building on. But the new kid on the block, Lungi Ngidi, got rid of the Indian captain for the second time in a row, this time AB taking a superb catch. Rahane then survived a caught behind appeal off a no ball but then was dismissed soon after. |
| Amidst all the rumble, Cheteshwar Pujara has stood out royally. His runs scored and the strike rate might be a cause of concern for some but in reality, had he not been there, India might well have been bowled out. Only two batsmen have managed double figures so far and the visitors will hope to see off the day without losing more than a wicket. |
| In command, are South Africa. Every bowler except for Andile Phehlukwayo has taken a wicket and all of them have been extremely economical. The over rate is a worry but then if the Proteas manage to dismiss India tonight itself, captain Faf du Plessis will not complain. He will be looking to get to the bowlers quickly after Tea and perhaps even dream of batting tonight, if the opportunity presents itself. No sign of rain so far, thankfully. Join us back at 1500 local (1300 GMT) for the final ses |
| ... Day 1, session 3 ... |
| 37 overs. Stumps. Which will happen first? In all likelihood, the latter. The over rate is very poor, there is no spinner, which means, a lonnnnnngg final session awaits us. Welcome back. Kagiso Rabada will start off proceedings to Cheteshwar Pujara. Here we go... |
| 53.1 : K Rabada to Pujara, On a length outside off, coming in, Pujara shoulders arms. |
| 53.2 : K Rabada to Pujara, Wider outside off, let through once more. |
| 53.3 : K Rabada to Pujara, Nips back in a long way, Cheteshwar looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the box. |
| 53.4 : K Rabada to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 53.5 : K Rabada to C Pujara, LAZY MORKEL. Full on middle, Pujara drives it through mid on and Morne Morkel gets across to his left. But he is lazy in bending and sliding and the ball goes through. The damp outfield keeps the ball inside the boundary and the batsmen take three. |
| 53.6 : K Rabada to Patel, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| Lungi Ngidi to bowl from the other end. |
| 54.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, FOUR! A rare loosener, short and wide outside off, Pujara cuts it through the covers and gets a boundary. |
| 54.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Good comeback. The length is full and just outside off, entices Cheteshwar into playing at that off the front foot and beats the outside edge. |
| 54.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Wide outside off, let through again. |
| 54.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, On a length outside off, CP plays at it and gets a thick outside edge but it dies down in front of second slip where Dean Elgar dives to his right to stop. |
| 54.5 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Outside off, punched to the bowler. |
| 54.6 : L Ngidi to Pujara, A peach to end the over. Ngidi lands it on a crack outside off and then gets the ball to deviate off the seam, past Pujara's forward prod. |
| 55.1 : K Rabada to Patel, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 55.2 : K Rabada to Patel, Landed wide outside off, let through again. |
| 55.3 : K Rabada to Patel, On middle and leg, tucked to the leg side. |
| 55.4 : K Rabada to Patel, On middle and leg again, Parthiv looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit on the thigh. |
| 55.5 : K Rabada to Patel, Wide outside off, swinging further away, Patel lets it go. |
| 55.6 : K Rabada to Patel, Excellent fielding again. Outside off, PP pushes at it and gets squared up as touch due to the late movement. The ball goes off the outside edge but goes all long the ground. AB de Villiers from third slip dives to his left to stop the ball. |
| 56.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, FOUR BYES! Bonus runs for India. Full and down the leg side. Pujara misses his flick by a big margin and then the ball swings further away. Quinton de Kock cannot even think of a dive. That is how far the ball was. |
| 56.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Wide again, but this time outside off. Gets it to swing away but is comfortably left alone. |
| 56.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Wider outside off, let through again. |
| 56.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Better ball, lands it on a length outside off, gets it to come back, extracts steep bounce and Cheteshwar lets it go. |
| 56.5 : L Ngidi to C Pujara, FOUR! SUBLIME! He is batting in his own zone. No strike rate fuss, no extra bounce issue, no movement trouble. Get a half volley, pounce on it. Pujara leans into this one and drives it through the covers for an elusive boundary. |
| 56.6 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Slips this down the leg side, Cheteshwar misses his flick. |
| 57.1 : K Rabada to Patel, A short ball to start the over, Patel sways away. |
| 57.2 : K Rabada to Patel, A flashy drive from Parthiv. The length is there to be driven, the line is wide, no issues in going after it but then the feet need to move as well. A play and a miss. |
| 57.3 : K Rabada to Patel, This time he makes contact with the ball and earns a single off a cover drive. Is off the mark on his 13th ball. |
| 57.4 : K Rabada to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 57.5 : K Rabada to Pujara, Another bye. The extras keep mounting as South Africa struggle to have control over the movement. Down the leg side, Pujara misses his flick and the keeper dives to his left to save a boundary. Just a single. |
| 57.6 : K Rabada to Patel, Outside off, nips back in a long way, PP misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. The men behind the stumps appeal and the bowler then joins in. No interest from the umpire. Probably height was the factor. |
| 58.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Outside off, stoically defended. |
| 58.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, FOUR! Good shot. Fractionally short outside off, Pujara punches it through the covers and gets a boundary. Moves to 42 with his 7th boundary and the stand is now worth 22. |
| 58.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 58.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Strays on the pads, tucked behind square leg for a single. |
| 58.5 : L Ngidi to Patel, Full and outside off, driven straight to wide mid off. |
| 58.6 : L Ngidi to Patel, Down the leg side, Patel misses his flick. |
| Andile Phehlukwayo is back on. Least impressive of the bowlers so far. |
| 59.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Full and just outside off, Pujara manages to dig it out to the off side. |
| 59.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, FOUR! The runs are starting to flow now! 6th boundary in just the 7th over of the session. Down the leg side, Pujara is now settled enough to turn it around the corner and beat the long leg fielder. |
| 59.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Outside off, let through. |
| 59.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 59.5 : A Phehlukwayo to P Patel, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 59.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Patel, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 60.1 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Short and outside off, punched through point for a couple. There is his 50! Strike rate of 28.9 but who cares! Batsmen who perhaps bat quicker are back in the pavillion. Pujara weathered the early storm and now is making hay when the sun is shining. To add more context, Pujara has scored 24 out of the 30 runs in this partnership from just 33 balls! Talk now! |
| 60.2 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 60.3 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Goes back in his crease this time and blocks. |
| 60.4 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Wide outside off, let through. |
| 60.5 : L Ngidi to Pujara, One more leave outside off. |
| 60.6 : L Ngidi to Pujara, Stands in his crease and blocks. |
| 61.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Patel, Full and wide outside off, Parthiv slashes but misses. |
| 61.2 : A Phehlukwayo to P Patel, Short and outside off, Parthiv gets on top of the bounce and cuts it through the off side for a single. |
| 61.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Pujara, OUT! The least impressive of the bowlers has taken out the most prized wicket! Indecision costs Pujara. Outside off, pretty wide, Pujara is not sure whether he should play at that or leave it. He is across his stumps and pushes at the ball. Halfway through the shot, he realizes that the ball can be left alone. Now, he tries to withdraw his bat but his commitment to the earlier cause does not allow him to get the bat behind much. The ball moves just enough to take w |
| Hardik Pandya walks out at number 7, replacing Pujara. |
| 61.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Pandya, Interesting. Walks down the track to his very first ball and pushes the ball to the off side. |
| 61.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Pandya, Good thinking by the bowler, bangs in a bouncer outside off, Pandya has to move away. |
| 61.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Pandya, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. A decent over from Phehlukwayo. |
| Morne Morkel has been brought back on. |
| 62.1 : M Morkel to Patel, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 62.2 : M Morkel to Patel, OUT! Caught behind! That is a bad, bad shot. The ball was not the best, short and wide outside off, Patel leaps and tries to punch but is comfortably beaten by the extra bounce. Only manages a thick nick and that is gobbled by the keeper. Two quick wickets for South Africa. |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar walks in next, at number 8, replacing Parthiv. |
| 62.3 : M Morkel to Kumar, Wide outside off, comfortably left alone. |
| 62.4 : M Morkel to Kumar, On a length outside off, cutting back in sharply, Kumar misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. He searches for the ball everywhere before eventually realizing that it is on the off side. |
| 62.5 : M Morkel to Kumar, A bouncer outside off, Bhuvi sways away nicely from the line. |
| 62.6 : M Morkel to Kumar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 63.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Pandya, Landed outside off, pushed to the off side. |
| 63.2 : Phehlukwayo to H Pandya, OUT! Another one goes! India gifting wickets away. A short ball outside off, Pandya thinks he can get the better of the opposite all-rounder but the bowler gets the better of him. The bounce is steep and the pull only gets a top edge. It goes straight up in the air and Quinton de Kock does really well to run back, keep his eyes on the ball and eventually take a steepler. Second wicket for Phehlukwayo! |
| Mohammed Shami is the new man in at number 9 |
| 63.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, Outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover. |
| 63.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, FOUR! Fine shot. On a length outside off, Kumar punches this off the back foot through the covers for a boundary! |
| 63.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, Outside off, Bhuvi plays for it but misses. |
| 63.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, Outside off, played through point for a couple. |
| 64.1 : M Morkel to Shami, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 64.2 : M Morkel to Shami, Lucky! A short ball at the batsman, Shami has no idea and fends at it meekly. The ball goes off the top edge and almost carries to the bowler running ahead! |
| 64.3 : M Morkel to Shami, FOUR! Nice shot! A short ball outside off, Shami arches back and flashes it over - what is that? A man somewhere between short third man and third man - and gets a boundary! Morkel is not happy with that field placement and wants that man at a traditional third man position! |
| 64.4 : M Morkel to Shami, Outside off, Shami flashes again and misses. |
| 64.5 : M Morkel to M Shami, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. |
| 64.6 : M Morkel to Shami, Outside off, defended solidly. |
| 65.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 65.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, Landed outside off, Kumar backs away and steers it straight to third slip. |
| 65.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. Bhuvi is halfway down for the second but Shami is not interested. The ball had gone a long way to the deep so the second was on. |
| 65.4 : A Phehlukwayo to M Shami, Did that carry? A short ball outside off, Shami looks to pull but mistimes it. The ball goes uppishly towards mid on and just about dies in front of the substitute Theunis de Bruyn over there. |
| 65.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Shami, On middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 65.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Kumar, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 66.1 : M Morkel to Shami, On a good length outside off, Shami rises with the bounce and fends it down. |
| 66.2 : M Morkel to Shami, Another short ball, this time Mohammed gets on top of the bounce and cuts it behind point for a couple. |
| 66.3 : M Morkel to Shami, This time a Nataraja pull shot comes out, through square leg for a run. |
| 66.4 : M Morkel to Kumar, Pretty wide outside off, Kumar thinks of going after it but then bails out. |
| 66.5 : M Morkel to Kumar, FOUR! Full and outside off, Bhuvi nicely opens the face of his bat and guides it past second slip to third man! |
| 66.6 : M Morkel to Kumar, A predictable bouncer, outside off, BK sways away. |
| Vernon Philander is back on. Can he finish things off? |
| 67.1 : V Philander to Shami, Walks across his stumps and flicks it with the swing towards short mid-wicket. |
| 67.2 : V Philander to Shami, Outside off, pretty wide, left alone. |
| 67.3 : V Philander to M Shami, Uppish.... safe! He is teasing the fielders, is Shami. A length ball on middle, Shami looks to go over mid on but the bat turns in his hand and the ball skews off the inner half of the bat towards the substitute Theunis de Bruyn at mid on. Lands just short. |
| 67.4 : V Philander to Shami, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 67.5 : V Philander to Shami, OUT! Gone this time! A shot too many for Shami. Landed outside off, Shami is in no mood to defend and just throws his bat at that. But his bottom hand comes off the willow and the ball goes off the toe end, high in the air. Simple catch to Kagiso Rabada at mid off. |
| Ishant Sharma walks in at number 10, replacing Shami. |
| 67.6 : V Philander to Sharma, Out? Or not out? Timed out. Bizarre scenes. Ishant gets across his stumps to flick but misses. Quinton de Kock dives to his left to cover for the late movement and then gets up, not appealing at all, but behaving as if he has got two in two. Then he realizes that Philander is ready to take his cap back and no one from the slips is appealing. Now, he starts to appeal and even wants the review, without consulting Faf du Plessis! Unfortunately for him, the umpire inform |
| 68.1 : M Morkel to Kumar, In the channel outside off, moving away after pitching. Kumar points his bat skywards to let it be. |
| 68.2 : M Morkel to Kumar, On a length outside off, Kumar eases it through covers for a single. Wants the second run but it is not on. |
| Short leg in place now. A man from slip is going to leg slip as well. Morkel is coming from around the wicket now. Get ready for some short stuff, Ishant. |
| 68.3 : M Morkel to Sharma, Short of a length ball on off, Sharma hops and stonewalls it. |
| 68.4 : M Morkel to Sharma, Ooh.. that was awkward! Ishant is certainly not comfortable with the short stuff and he is being peppered by it. Shortish delivery attacking the body, Sharma points his bat skywards and is hit near the stomach region. |
| 68.5 : M Morkel to Sharma, Not a convincing leave again. Short ball around leg stump, Ishant just about evades it. |
| 68.6 : M Morkel to Sharma, Goes for the very full delivery on off, Ishant is alert to it and manages to survive. |
| 69.1 : V Philander to Kumar, Philander's stock delivery and Kumar has no clue about it. Tries to get in line but is beaten by the sharp away swing. |
| 69.2 : V Philander to Kumar, Another play and a miss! Swerving away substantially, Bhuvi pushes at it with hard hands but gets foxed again. |
| 69.3 : V Philander to Kumar, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. Third play and a miss in a row. |
| 69.4 : V Philander to Kumar, On a length on middle and leg, Kumar crouches and buries it into the turf. |
| 69.5 : V Philander to Kumar, Almost finds the outside edge! Full ball, encouraging Kumar to go for an expansive shot. He obliges but once again only manages to connect with thin air. |
| 69.6 : V Philander to Kumar, Full and fast ball attacking the stumps, jammed back to Philander. Kumar survives this time. |
| 70.1 : M Morkel to Sharma, Peach! Back of a length ball around off, angling in. Sharma hops in an attempt to block it but the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 70.2 : M Morkel to Sharma, Nervy! Fuller in length, drawing Sharma forward. He gets a bit off balanced as he tries to flick it but gets a leading edge which does not carry to the fielder at covers. |
| 70.3 : M Morkel to Sharma, Short of a length outside off, Ishant pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 70.4 : M Morkel to Sharma, This is becoming habitual for Ishant now. Tries to drive on the up to a length ball outside off but is miles away from making any contact. |
| 70.5 : M Morkel to Sharma, In the air... but safe! Sharma is just about hanging there somehow. Fullish ball on leg stump, Sharma mistimes his chip towards short mid-wicket. Rabada runs in from mid on but the ball lands in front of him. |
| 70.6 : M Morkel to Sharma, This one is well outside off, Sharma doesn't flirt with it this time. Another maiden. |
| 71.1 : V Philander to Kumar, Kumar makes room, uses his feet and Philander follows him. Flat-bats it but fails to pierce the gap as he hits it straight to mid off. |
| 71.2 : V Philander to Kumar, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. |
| 71.3 : V Philander to Kumar, Philander loses his radar and slips this one down the leg side, Bhuvi attempts a glance but misses. |
| 71.4 : V Philander to Kumar, Good running! Full and outside off, Kumar strokes it through covers and calls for two immediately. The man at sweeper cover has a lot of ground to cover to his right and the batsmen get the desired result. |
| 71.5 : V Philander to Kumar, Hangs back to the good length ball and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 71.6 : V Philander to Kumar, Almost breached the defense of Kumar! This one curves in substantially, Kumar just about manages to keep it out with an inside edge onto his pads. |
| Rabada is back on. |
| 72.1 : K Rabada to I Sharma, OUT! The bowling change has paid dividends! Rabada steams in and attacks the stumps with a full ball. Sharma attempts to push it down the ground with zero footwork but gets an outside edge that flies towards second slip. Faf du Plessis stationed there dives in front and takes a smart catch. The South Africans are jubilant! |
| 0.0 : Jasprit Bumrah is the last man in. |
| 72.2 : K Rabada to Bumrah, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| Faf Du Plessis feels that Bumrah has been struck on the pads in front of the stumps. He challenges the decision. Seems like it is going down the leg side. |
| 72.3 : K Rabada to Bumrah, Not Out! Oh gosh! How much seam movement did that ball get. On a length outside off, jags back a country mile. Bumrah attempts to defend it but is late in bringing his bat down. The ball seems to have missed everything and beats de Kock as well to run to the fence. Du Plessis feels that the ball has brushed the pads and hence, reviews it. The replays show that the ball has indeed brushed the back pad. The Hawk Eye rolls in but it is missing the leg stump. However, alarm |
| 72.4 : K Rabada to Bumrah, Down the leg side, Bumrah tries to play at it but misses. |
| 72.5 : K Rabada to Bumrah, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 72.6 : K Rabada to Bumrah, Very full outside off, jammed out. |
| 73.1 : V Philander to Kumar, Backs away to this one and swipes it through square leg for a couple. |
| 73.2 : V Philander to Kumar, FOUR! Hit hard! Length ball in line of the stumps, Kumar makes room and hammers it down the ground for a boundary. His bottom hand came off but he managed to get enough on it. |
| 73.3 : V Philander to Kumar, Makes room to the length ball and aims to hit it over long off but gets an inside edge towards square leg. |
| 73.4 : V Philander to Kumar, Good length ball outside off, takes off. Kumar goes for an upper cut but misses. |
| 73.5 : V Philander to Kumar, The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. They pick up a single. |
| 73.6 : V Philander to Bumrah, Too good for the No. 11! Full ball around off, angling in and then seams away eventually to go past Bumrah's hanging bat. |
| 74.1 : K Rabada to Kumar, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 74.2 : K Rabada to Kumar, Sits deep in the crease to the good length ball and defends it nicely. |
| 74.3 : K Rabada to Kumar, Makes room to this one but Rabada follows him. Kumar is cramped for space and only manages to defend it. |
| 74.4 : Rabada to B Kumar, Kumar escapes by a small margin! He uses his feet to the good length ball but is not to the pitch of the ball. Ends up top edging it towards mid on. Rabada backtracks and misjudges it a bit. Fails to reach it eventually. A couple taken. |
| 74.5 : K Rabada to Kumar, Once again survives! Fuller in length around off, Kumar mistimes his chip towards covers where the fielder leaps but it goes over him. A couple taken. |
| 74.6 : K Rabada to Kumar, Bye! Makes space for him and goes for the drive but misses. The batsmen sneak in a bye. Had there been a direct hit at the bowler's end, it would have been trouble for Kumar. |
| Ngidi is back for a bowl. |
| 75.1 : L Ngidi to Kumar, Back of a length ball, defended stoutly off the back foot. |
| 75.2 : L Ngidi to Kumar, FOUR! Shot! On a length on off, Kumar backs away and hammers it over the bowler for a rocketing boundary. These are handy runs. |
| Long off and long on in place now. |
| 75.3 : L Ngidi to Kumar, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 75.4 : L Ngidi to Kumar, Angling in sharply, tucked towards the man at 45 on the leg side. Bumrah wants a run but he is sent back by Kumar. |
| 75.5 : Ngidi to B Kumar, Short ball, angling in. Kumar attempts a big hit but only manages a top edge that falls safely in the square leg region. |
| 75.6 : L Ngidi to Bumrah, This one is well outside off, Bumrah doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 76.1 : K Rabada to Kumar, Sits deep in the crease to the good length ball and stonewalls it. |
| 76.2 : K Rabada to Kumar, Dug in short, Kumar arches back and evades it. |
| 76.3 : K Rabada to Kumar, Another short ball, Kumar sits under it. |
| 76.4 : K Rabada to Kumar, OUT! That's the final nail in the coffin! Short ball, angling in and climbing on Kumar. He gets into an awkward position and still goes through with his pull shot. Ends up getting a top edge that swirls in the sky towards short mid-wicket. Phehlukwayo backtracks and takes a fine catch. INDIA ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 187! |
| A meek surrender from India has meant that they have ended with a way below par-score. The visitors elected to bat first on a conducive track for swing bowling and were found wanting. They lost their openers very cheaply and were struggling to come to terms with the pace and bounce on offer. Kohli came in and along with Pujara started the revival work. They played cautiously and saw off the new ball. There were times when the duo got lucky but still, credit needs to be given to them for fighting |
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