South Africa is in the driver’s seat on Day 3 of the third Test between South Africa and India at the Newlands, needing 111 runs with 8 wickets in hand. 

India began the day on 57/2, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli firmly set. Interestingly, Marco Jansen bowled the first over of the day and dismissed Pujara off his second delivery. Keegan Petersen, stationed at leg slip, took an absolute blinder.

Kagiso Rabada picked up Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket soon after. India were under serious pressure, and it took a 94-run partnership between Kohli and Rishabh Pant to re-establish balance in the game.

While Kohli’s game was predicated on defense, Pant was at his attacking best. Kohli was undone by Lungi Ngidi for 29 off 143 balls.

The rest of India’s batting lineup did not make any significant contributions, but Pant continued to counterattack, and brought up a well-deserved century off 139 balls.

Marco Jansen was South Africa’s standout bowler, picking four wickets and conceding 36 runs in 19.3 overs. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi picked three wickets each. Ngidi deserves a lot of credit for shifting the momentum in South Africa’s favour, given that his wicket of Kohli triggered a collapse that resulted in India being dismissed for 198. 

Needing 212 runs to win, Elgar and Markram stitched a 23-run partnership before Markram edged a Mohammed Shami delivery to slips for 16 off 22 balls. Elgar and Petersen rebuilt the innings with a substantial 78-run partnership. Elgar was resolute in his defense, while Petersen took the attack to the Indian bowlers. Like his knock in the first innings, Petersen continued to play exquisite drives. He also impressed with the manner in which he played Ravichandran Ashwin, who was able to extract significant turn off the surface, by using the reverse sweep to good effect. The partnership was broken in the last over the of the day, with Elgar edging a Jasprit Bumrah delivery. 

There was a fair amount of drama on the field, particularly after an LBW review of Dean Elgar overturned the umpire’s decision and declared him ‘Not Out.’ Indian captain, Virat Kohli, was seen talking to the stump microphone, saying, “Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball hey, and not just the opposition. You’re trying to catch people all the time.” Rishabh Pant added, “The whole country playing against 11 guys.” 

With two wickets down, South Africa need 111 runs to win the Test match and series.