Indian bowlers wreaked havoc once again as South African batting collapsed twice in a single day in the third Test at Ranchi on Monday. At the end of the third day’s play, India were set to inflict another innings defeat on the visitors.
Resuming their over score of 9-2, South Africa were all out for 162 in their first innings with Zubayr Hamza scoring 62 runs for his side. George Linde and Temba Bavuma made 37 and 32 respectively.
The highlight of the day was debutant Shahbaz Nadeem, who picked up his first Test wicket after he got Bavuma out. Bavuma, who was beginning to gain confidence with the bat, failed to read one of Nadeem’s deliveries and got stumped. Nadeem took two wickets in the first innings. Umesh Yadav picked up three, Mohammed Shami two and the remaining two wickets went to Ravindra Jadeja.
Forced to follow on, South Africa started their second innings on a disastrous note as they lost their first seven wickets when the team’s total wasn’t even 100. This also saw one of their top batsmen, Dean Elgar, getting retired hurt after a bouncer from Umesh Yadav knocked his head. Unable to continue in the match, Theunis de Bruyn came as his concussion replacement. At the end of the third day’s play, South Africa were 132-8 with de Bruyn and Anrich Nortje batting on 30 and 5 respectively.
For India, Mohammed Shami took three wickets, while Umesh Yadav picked up two. Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin took one wicket each.
India are just two wickets away from defeating South Africa by an innings as the visitors still trail the hosts’ first innings total by 203 runs.
Speaking about his debut wicket, Nadeem said that this was quite ‘special’ for him. The cricketer from Muzaffarpur in Bihar said that he was nervous while bowling the first three balls, but his nerve got better after that.
India currently lead the three-Test series 2-0. The hosts had defeated South Africa in the second Test by an innings and 137 runs.